will began to yield to the illusion (if illusion it was)
which presented to her a queenly yet maidenly vision, a brilliant flower
which might be worth transplanting from the woods even to the stately
shelter of Hunsdon. It was clear enough that this girl, whatever she
might be, had too firm a hold upon Maurice's heart to be easily
displaced; and his cousin, not being altogether past the age of romance
herself, gave up at once all her vague schemes of match-making in his
service, and applied herself to the serious consideration how to obtain
from her grandfather the desired leave of absence.

She did not, of course, understand all the story. The impression she
derived from what Maurice told her was that Mrs. Costello, after having
encouraged the intimacy and affection between her daughter and him up to
the time of his great change of position and prospects, had now thought
it more honourable to break off their intercourse, and carry her child
away, lest he should feel bound to what was now an unequal connection.
This idea of Lady Dighton's arose simply from a misconception of
Maurice's evident reserve in certain parts of his confidence. _He_
thought only of concealing all Mrs. Costello would wish concealed; and
_she_ dreamt of no other reason for the change of which he told her,
than the very proper and reasonable one of the recent disparity of
fortune.

Maurice was so delighted at finding a ready ally that the moment his
cousin signified her willingness to help him, he began to fancy his
difficulties were half removed, and had to be warned that only the first
and least important step had been taken.

"In the next place," Lady Dighton said, "we must consult Dr. Edwards."

"What for," asked Maurice in some perplexity.

"To know whether it would be safe to propose to my grandfather the loss
of his heir."

"But for six weeks? It is really nothing."

"Nothing to you or me perhaps, but I am afraid it is a good deal to him,
poor old man."

"Louisa, I assure you, I would not ask him to spare me for a day if it
were not a thing that must be done now, and that I should all my life
regret leaving undone."

She looked at him with an amused smile. People in love do so overrate
trifles; but she was really of opinion that he should go if possible.

"Yes," she said, "I understand that. And I do not myself see any
particular cause for delaying since it must be done. But still I think
it would be well to ask the Doctor's opi