t be, mother. You are forgetting."

The old woman thought for a while, and then remembered the difficulty.
"No, not quite at once." Then her mind wandered again. "But if this
isn't a Popenjoy, my dear,--and it's all in the hands of God,--then the
next may be. My three first were all girls; and it was a great trouble;
but Sir Henry said the next would be a Popenjoy; and so it was. I hope
this will be a Popenjoy, because I might die before the next." When a
week of all this had been endured Mary in her heart was glad that the
sentence of expulsion from Manor Cross still stood against her husband,
feeling that six months of reiterated longings for a Popenjoy would
kill her and the possible Popenjoy also.

Then came the terrible question of an immediate residence. The month
was nearly over, and Lord George had determined that he would go up to
town for a few days when the time came. Mary begged to be taken with
him, but to this he would not accede, alleging that his sojourn there
would only be temporary, till something should be settled. "I am sure,"
said Mary, "your brother would dislike my being here worse than you."
That might be true, but the edict, as it had been pronounced, had not
been against her. The Marquis had simply ordered that in the event of
Lord George remaining in the house, the house and park should be
advertised for letting. "George, I think he must be mad," said Mary.

"He is sane enough to have the control of his own property."

"If it is let, why shouldn't you take it?"

"Where on earth should I get the money?"

"Couldn't we all do it among us?"

"He wouldn't let it to us; he will allow my mother and sisters to live
here for nothing; and I don't think he has said anything to Mr. Knox
about you. But I am to be banished."

"He must be mad."

"Mad or not, I must go."

"Do,--do let me go with you! Do go to the deanery. Papa will make it
all square by coming up to us in London."

"Your father has a right to be in the house in London," said Lord
George with a scowl.

When the month was over he did go up to town, and saw Mr. Knox. Mr.
Knox advised him to go back to Manor Cross, declaring that he himself
would take no further steps without further orders. He had not had a
line from the Marquis. He did not even know where the Marquis was,
supposing, however, that he was in his house on the lake; but he did
know that the Marchioness was not with him, as separate application had
been made to him by