ike it."

"I was charmed with it. I never saw prettier drawing-rooms--never.
And the bedrooms for a London house are so large and airy."

"Did you go into the dining-room?"

"Oh, yes; I went in."

"There's room for four-and-twenty, is there not?"

"Well, I don't know. I can't give an opinion about that. You could
have three times that number at supper."

"I'm not thinking of suppers; but I'm sure you could. Kitchen's
convenient, eh?"

"Very--so at least aunt Mary said."

"And now about the furniture. You can give me two or three days in
town, can't you?"

"Oh, yes; if you require it. But I would trust your taste in all
those matters."

"My taste! I have neither taste nor time. If you won't mind going to
----"

And so the conversation went on for another fifteen minutes, and then
they were at home. Caroline's boots had begun to tease her, and their
walk, therefore, had not been prolonged to a great distance.

Ah, me! again I say how pleasant, how delightful were those lovers'
walks!

Then Caroline went up to her bedroom, and Sir Henry sat himself down
near Mr. Bertram's chair in the dining-room.

"I wanted to speak to you, sir," said he, rushing at once into the
midst of his subject, "about Caroline's settlement. It is time
that all that should be arranged. I would have made my lawyer see
Pritchett; but I don't know that Pritchett has any authority to act
for you in such matters."

"Act for me! Pritchett has no authority to act--nor have I either."
This little renunciation of his granddaughter's affairs was no more
than Sir Henry expected. He was, therefore, neither surprised nor
disgusted.

"Well! I only want to know who has the authority. I don't anticipate
any great difficulty. Caroline's fortune is not very large; but of
course it must be settled. Six thousand pounds, I believe."

"Four, Sir Henry. That is, if I am rightly informed."

"Four, is it? I was told six--I think by George Bertram in former
days. I should of course prefer six; but if it be only four, why we
must make the best of it."

"She has only four of her own," said the old man, somewhat mollified.

"Have you any objection to my telling you what I would propose to
do?"

"No objection in life, Sir Henry."

"My income is large; but I want a little ready money at present to
conclude the purchase of my house, and to furnish it. Would you
object to the four thousand pounds being paid into my hands, if I
insure my life for six