words--"all alive and hearty at the year's end. But if I am gone,
Magdalen, it will make no difference. My will--made long before I ever
thought of having a son-in-law divides my fortune into two equal parts.
One part goes to your mother; and the other part is fairly divided
between my children. You will have your share on your wedding-day (and
Norah will have hers when she marries) from my own hand, if I live; and
under my will if I die. There! there! no gloomy faces," he said, with a
momentary return of his every-day good spirits. "Your mother and I mean
to live and see Frank a great merchant. I shall leave you, my dear,
to enlighten the son on our new projects, while I walk over to the
cottage--"

He stopped; his eyebrows contra cted a little; and he looked aside
hesitatingly at Mrs. Vanstone.

"What must you do at the cottage, papa?" asked Magdalen, after having
vainly waited for him to finish the sentence of his own accord.

"I must consult Frank's father," he replied. "We must not forget that
Mr. Clare's consent is still wanting to settle this matter. And as
time presses, and we don't know what difficulties he may not raise, the
sooner I see him the better."

He gave that answer in low, altered tones; and rose from his chair in
a half-reluctant, half-resigned manner, which Magdalen observed with
secret alarm.

She glanced inquiringly at her mother. To all appearance, Mrs. Vanstone
had been alarmed by the change in him also. She looked anxious and
uneasy; she turned her face away on the sofa pillow--turned it
suddenly, as if she was in pain.

"Are you not well, mamma?" asked Magdalen.

"Quite well, my love," said Mrs. Vanstone, shortly and sharply, without
turning round. "Leave me a little--I only want rest."

Magdalen went out with her father.

"Papa!" she whispered anxiously, as they descended the stairs; "you
don't think Mr. Clare will say No?"

"I can't tell beforehand," answered Mr. Vanstone. "I hope he will say
Yes."

"There is no reason why he should say anything else--is there?"

She put the question faintly, while he was getting his hat and stick;
and he did not appear to hear her. Doubting whether she should repeat
it or not, she accompanied him as far as the garden, on his way to Mr.
Clare's cottage. He stopped her on the lawn, and sent her back to the
house.

"You have nothing on your head, my dear," he said. "If you want to be in
the garden, don't forget how hot the sun is--don't come