ndfather and ridicule
him if he were to make this marriage. And I can see that
it would be so. I would not have such injury come upon him
for the gain of all the world to myself. So I have made
up my mind to tell him that it cannot be, even though I
should anger him. And I fear that it will anger him, for
he loves to have his own way,--especially in doing good;
and he thinks that our marriage would rescue me altogether
from the danger of this trial.

So I have made up my mind to tell him, but I have not
found courage to do it yet; and I do wish, dear Mr.
Furnival, that I might see you first. I fear that I may
have lost your friendship by what has already been done.
If so, what will become of me? When I heard that you had
gone without asking for me, my heart sank within me. I
have two friends whom I so dearly love, and I would fain
do as both direct me, if that may be possible. And now I
propose to go up to London to-morrow, and to be at your
chambers about one o'clock. I have told Sir Peregrine and
Mrs. Orme that I am going; but he is too noble-minded
to ask questions now that he thinks I may feel myself
constrained to tell him. So I will call in Lincoln's Inn
at one o'clock, and I trust that if possible you will see
me. I am greatly in want of your advice, for in truth I
hardly know what to do.

Pray believe me to be always your attached friend,

MARY MASON.

There was hardly a word,--I believe not a word in that letter that
was not true. Her acceptance of Sir Peregrine had been given exactly
in the manner and for the reasons there explained; and since she had
accepted him she had been sorry for having done so, exactly in the
way now described. She was quite willing to give up her husband if it
was thought best,--but she was not willing to give up her friend. She
was not willing to give up either friend, and her great anxiety was
so to turn her conduct that she might keep them both.

Mr. Furnival was gratified as he read the letter--gratified in spite
of his present frame of mind. Of course he would see her;--and of
course, as he himself well knew, would take her again into favour.
But he must insist on her carrying out her purpose of abandoning the
marriage project. If, arising from this abandonment, there should
be any coolness on the part of Sir Peregrine, Mr. Furnival would
not regret it. Mr. Furnival did not feel quite sure wh