g of that kind now, but still you may do
very much. Make up your mind to this, that you'll ask Miss Hotspur to
be your wife before you leave--what's the name of the place?"

"I have quite made up my mind to that, Lady Altringham."

"As to the manner of doing it, I don't suppose that I can teach you
anything."

"I don't know about that."

"At any rate I shan't try. Only remember this. Get her to promise
to be firm, and then go at once to Sir Harry. Don't let there be an
appearance of doubt in speaking to him. And if he tells you of the
property,--angrily I mean,--then do you tell him of the title. Make
him understand that you give as much as you get. I don't suppose he
will yield at first. Why should he? You are not the very best young
man about town, you know. But if you get her, he must follow. She
looks like one that would stick to it, if she once had said it."

Thus prompted George Hotspur went from Castle Corry to Humblethwaite.
I wonder whether he was aware of the extent of the friendship of his
friend, and whether he ever considered why it was that such a woman
should be so anxious to assist him in making his fortune, let it be
at what cost it might to others! Lady Altringham was not the least
in love with Captain Hotspur, was bound to him by no tie whatsoever,
would suffer no loss in the world should Cousin George come to utter
and incurable ruin; but she was a woman of energy, and, as she liked
the man, she was zealous in his friendship.

CHAPTER VIII.

AIREY FORCE.

Lady Elizabeth had been instructed by Sir Harry to warn her
daughter not to fall in love with Cousin George during his visit to
Humblethwaite; and Lady Elizabeth was, as a wife, accustomed to obey
her husband in all things. But obedience in this matter was very
difficult. Such a caution as that received is not easily given even
between a mother and a child, and is especially difficult when the
mother is unconsciously aware of her child's superiority to herself.
Emily was in all respects the bigger woman of the two, and was sure
to get the best of it in any such cautioning. It is so hard to have
to bid a girl, and a good girl too, not to fall in love with a
particular man! There is left among us at any rate so much of reserve
and assumed delicacy as to require us to consider, or pretend to
consider on the girl's behalf, that of course she won't fall in love.
We know that she will, sooner or later; and probably as much sooner
as opp