en cannot marry at
a moment's notice, as do ploughboys and milkmaids. If they cannot
live on a limited income, they must wait." He did, however, on this
occasion go so far as to say, that if they would wait for another
twelvemonth, and that if he were then living, he would add two
thousand pounds to Caroline's fortune. As to George, he had done as
much as he intended to do--certainly for the present. "George likes
his own way," said the old man, "and as far as I am concerned, he
shall have it. It will be well for him to make his own career in the
world; he will be happier so than in spending my money."

On this occasion Miss Baker was permitted to tell Caroline all the
circumstances of her parentage and grandparentage. The same story
might now be told to George. But they were both to be cautioned
that their relative's displeasure would be incurred by any useless
repetition of it. "And, Mary," said he, "do not let them mislead
themselves. Do not let them marry with the idea that by so doing they
will inherit between them my money. I wish them both to understand
that my views are altogether different."

Miss Baker, when she returned to Littlebath, could not think that she
had been successful in her mission; and Caroline immediately declared
that any idea of a marriage for that year, or even for the next, must
now be altogether out of the question. She was very much startled at
hearing that Mr. Bertram was her mother's father, but did not pretend
to any suddenly intense affection for him. "If that be so," said she,
coldly, "if George and I are his only near connections, and if he
does not disapprove of our marriage, he ought to give us an income on
which we can live." It is astonishing how different are the views of
grandfathers and grandchildren on such matters!

Unfortunately there was no unanimity of opinion on this matter,
either between the lovers themselves or between them and their aunt.
George was of opinion that they should marry immediately on their
present income, and trust to Providence and his exertions for a
future increase. For one year he would have the income of his
fellowship; in two years and a half he would be called; and in the
meantime, he could make something by the Magazines. If Caroline was
not afraid, he was not.

But Caroline was very much afraid. It had by no means formed part of
the project of her life to live in London as a married woman on four
hundred pounds a year. "She knew," she said