I am beginning to understand that these titles of yours are
something like kings' crowns. The man who has to wear them can't do
just as he pleases with them. Noblesse oblige. I can see the meaning
of that, even when the obligation itself is trumpery in its nature.
If it is a man's duty to marry a Talbot because he's a Howard, I
suppose he ought to do his duty." After a pause she went on again. "I
do believe that I have made a mistake. It seemed to be absurd at the
first to think of it, but I do believe it now. Even what you say to
me makes me think it."

"At any rate you can't go back," said Nora enthusiastically.

"I will try."

"Go to himself and ask him. You must leave him to decide it at last.
I don't see how a girl when she is engaged, is to throw a man over
unless he consents. Of course you can throw yourself into the Arno."

"And get the water into my shoes,--for it wouldn't do much more at
present."

"And you can--jilt him," said Nora.

"It would not be jilting him."

"He must decide that. If he so regards it, it will be so. I advise
you to think no more about it; but if you speak to anybody it should
be to him." This was at last the result of Nora's wisdom, and then
the two girls descended together to the room in which Lady Rowley was
sitting with her other daughters. Lady Rowley was very careful in
asking after Miss Spalding's sister, and Miss Spalding assured her
that Olivia was quite well. Then Lady Rowley made some inquiry about
Olivia and Mr. Glascock, and Miss Spalding assured her that no two
persons were ever such allies, and that she believed that they were
together at this moment investigating some old church. Lady Rowley
simpered, and declared that nothing could be more proper, and
expressed a hope that Olivia would like England. Caroline Spalding,
having still in her mind the trouble that had brought her to Nora,
had not much to say about this. "If she goes again to England I am
sure she will like it," replied Miss Spalding.

"But of course she is going," said Lady Rowley.

"Of course she will some day, and of course she'll like it," said
Miss Spalding. "We both of us have been there already."

"But I mean Monkhams," said Lady Rowley, still simpering.

"I declare I believe mamma thinks that your sister is to be married
to Mr. Glascock!" said Lucy.

"And so she is;--isn't she?" said Lady Rowley.

"Oh, mamma!" said Nora, jumping up. "It is Caroline;--this one,
this one, this one,"--and