s not an insuperable bar in marriage."

"No," said Mrs. Halifax, thoughtfully.

"And for any other disparity--in fortune--or rank--"

"I think, Lord Ravenel,"--and the mother spoke with her "dignified"
air--"you know enough of my husband's character and opinions to be
assured how lightly he would hold such a disparity--if you allude to
that supposed to exist between the son of the Earl of Luxmore and the
daughter of John Halifax."

The young nobleman coloured, as if with ingenuous shame at what he had
been implying. "I am glad of it. Let me assure you there will be no
impediments on the side of my family. The earl has long wished me to
marry. He knows well enough that I can marry whom I please--and shall
marry for love only. Give me your leave to win your little Maud."

A dead silence.

"Again pardon me," Lord Ravenel said with some hauteur; "I cannot have
clearly explained myself. Let me repeat, Mr. Halifax, that I ask your
permission to win your daughter's affection, and, in due time, her
hand."

"I would that you had asked of me anything that it could be less
impossible to give you."

"Impossible! What do you mean?--Mrs. Halifax--" He turned
instinctively to the woman--the mother.

Ursula's eyes were full of a sad kindness--the kindness any mother must
feel towards one who worthily woos her daughter--but she replied
distinctly--

"I feel, with my husband, that such a marriage would be impossible."

Lord Ravenel grew scarlet--sat down--rose again, and stood facing them,
pale and haughty.

"If I may ask--your reasons?"

"Since you ask--certainly," John replied. "Though, believe me, I give
them with the deepest pain. Lord Ravenel, do you not yourself see that
our Maud--"

"Wait one moment," he interrupted. "There is not, there cannot be, any
previous attachment?"

The supposition made the parents smile. "Indeed, nothing of the kind:
she is a mere child."

"You think her too young for marriage, then?" was the eager answer. "Be
it so. I will wait, though my youth, alas! is slipping from me; but I
will wait--two years, three--any time you choose to name."

John needed not to reply. The very sorrow of his decision showed how
inevitable and irrevocable it was.

Lord Ravenel's pride rose against it.

"I fear in this my novel position I am somewhat slow of comprehension.
Would it be so great a misfortune to your daughter if I made her
Viscountess Ravenel, and in course of time Countess o