never did."

"No, my dear; no. I don't think that you ever did." Mrs. Dosett, who
was justice itself, did acknowledge to herself that of any such fault
as that suggested, Ayala was innocent. Her fault was quite in the
other direction, and consisted of an unwillingness to settle herself
and to free her relations of the burden of maintaining her when
proper opportunities arose for doing so. "I only want to explain
to you that people must,--must,--must make their hay while the sun
shines. You are young now."

"I am not one-and-twenty yet," said Ayala, proudly.

"One-and-twenty is a very good time for a girl to marry,--that is to
say if a proper sort of gentleman asks her."

"I don't think I ought to be scolded because they don't seem to me to
be the proper sort. I don't want anybody to come. Nobody ought to be
talked to about it at all. If I cared about any one that you or Uncle
Reginald did not approve, then you might talk to me. But I don't
think that anything ought to be said about anybody unless I like him
myself." So the conversation was over, and Mrs. Dosett felt that she
had been entirely vanquished.

Lady Albury's letter was shown to Mr. Dosett, but he refused to say
a word to his niece on the subject. In the argument which followed
between him and his wife he took his niece's part, opposing
altogether that idea that hay should be made while the sun shines.
"It simply means selling herself," said Mr. Dosett.

"That is nonsense, Reginald. Of course such a girl as Ayala has to
do the best she can with her good looks. What else has she to depend
upon?"

"My brother-in-law will do something for her."

"I hope he will,--though I do not think that a very safe reed to
depend upon as she has twice offended him. But of course a girl
thinks of marrying. Ayala would be very much disgusted if she were
told that she was to be an old maid, and live upon L100 a year
supplied by Sir Thomas's bounty. It might have been that she would
have to do it;--but now that chances are open she ought to take them.
She should choose between her cousin Tom and this Colonel Stubbs;
and you should tell her that, if she will not, you will no longer be
responsible for her."

To this Mr. Dosett turned altogether a deaf ear. He was quite sure
that his responsibility must be continued till Ayala should marry,
or till he should die, and he would not make a threat which he would
certainly be unable to carry out. He would be very glad if Ayala