invited her to tell everything to him, and she was
possessed by a feeling that in this matter she might possibly find
more indulgence with her father than with her mother; but yet it was
more natural that her mother should be her confidante and adviser.
She could speak to her mother, also, with a better courage, even
though she felt less certain of sympathy. Peregrine Orme had now been
there again, and had been closeted With Lady Staveley. On that ground
she would speak, and having so resolved she lost no time in carrying
out her purpose.

"Mamma, Mr. Orme was here to-day; was he not?"

"Yes, my love." Lady Staveley was sorry rather than otherwise that
her daughter had asked her, but would have been puzzled to explain
why such should have been the case.

"I thought so," said Madeline.

"He rode over, and told me among other things that the match between
his grandfather and Lady Mason is at an end. I was very glad to hear
it, for I thought that Sir Peregrine was going to do a very foolish
thing." And then there were a few further remarks on that subject,
made probably by Lady Staveley with some undefined intention of
inducing her daughter to think that Peregrine Orme had come over
chiefly on that matter.

"But, mamma--"

"Well, my love."

"Did he say anything about--about what he was speaking to me about?"

"Well, Madeline; he did. He did say something on that subject; but I
had not intended to tell you unless you had asked."

"I hope, mamma, he understands that what he wants can never
happen;--that is if he does want it now?"

"He does want it certainly, my dear."

"Then I hope you told him that it can never be? I hope you did,
mamma!"

"But why should you be so certain about it, my love? He does not
intend to trouble you with his suit,--nor do I. Why not leave that
to time? There can be no reason why you should not see him again on
a friendly footing when this embarrassment between you shall have
passed away."

"There would be no reason, mamma, if he were quite sure that there
could never be any other footing."

"Never is a very long word."

"But it is the only true word, mamma. It would be wrong in you, it
would indeed, if you were to tell him to come again. I like Mr. Orme
very much as a friend, and I should be very glad to know him,--that
is if he chose to know me." And Madeline as she made this little
proviso was thinking what her own worldly position might be as the
wife of Felix Graham. "But