"There is a difference, Tom, between hating and not loving."

"If she would only begin to make a little way, then I could hope
again. Uncle Reginald, could you not tell her that at any rate I
would be good to her?"

"I think you would be good to her," he said.

"Indeed, I would. There is nothing I would not do for her. Now will
you let me see her just once again, and have one other chance?"

This was the great thing which Tom desired from his uncle, and Mr.
Dosett was so much softened by his nephew's earnestness that he did
promise to do as much as this;--to do as much as this, at least, if
it were in his power. Of course, Ayala must be told. No good could
be done by surprising her by a visit. But he would endeavour so
to arrange it that, if Tom were to come to him on the following
afternoon, they two should go to the Crescent together, and then Tom
should remain and dine there,--or go away before dinner, as he might
please, after the interview. This was settled, and Tom left Somerset
House, rejoicing greatly at his success. It seemed to him that now at
last a way was open to him.

Uncle Reginald, on his return home, took his niece aside and talked
to her very gently and very kindly. "Whether you like him or whether
you do not, my dear, he is so true to you that you are bound to see
him again when he asks it." At first she was very stout, declaring
that she would not see him. Of what good could it be, seeing that she
would rather throw herself into the Thames than marry him? Had she
not told him so over and over again, as often as he had spoken to
her? Why would he not just leave her alone? But against all this her
uncle pleaded gently but persistently. He had considered himself
bound to promise so much on her behalf, and for his sake she must do
as he asked. To this, of course, she yielded. And then he said many
good things of poor Tom. His constancy was a great virtue. A man so
thoroughly in love would no doubt make a good husband. And then there
would be the assent of all the family, and an end, as far as Ayala
was concerned, of all pecuniary trouble. In answer to this she only
shook her head, promising, however, that she would be ready to give
Tom an audience when he should be brought to the Crescent on the
following day.

Punctually at four Tom made his appearance at Somerset House, and
started with his uncle as soon as the index-books had been put in
their places. Tom was very anxious to take his uncle h