appointed to the vicarage of Pugsty, and
would leave Brotherton within a month.

"I suppose it's a good living."

"About L300 a year, I believe. He's been acting not quite on the square
with a young lady, and the Bishop made him take it. It was that or
nothing." The Dean was quite delighted; and when Mary told him
something of her troubles,--how impossible she found it to drink
bottled porter,--he laughed, and bade her be of good cheer, and told
her that there were good days coming. They had been there for nearly
an hour together, and Mary was becoming unhappy. If her father were
allowed to go without some recognition from the family, she would never
again be friends with those women. She was beginning to think that she
never would be friends again with any of them, when the door opened,
and Lady Sarah entered the room.

The greeting was very civil on both sides. Lady Sarah could, if she
pleased, be gracious, though she was always a little grand; and the
Dean was quite willing to be pleased, if only any effort was made to
please him. Lady Sarah hoped that he would stay and dine. He would
perhaps excuse the Marchioness, as she rarely now left her room. The
Dean could not dine at Manor Cross on that day, and then Lady Sarah
asked him to come on the Thursday following.

CHAPTER LVII.

MR. KNOX HEARS AGAIN FROM THE MARQUIS.

"Do come, papa," said Mary, jumping up and putting her arm round her
father's shoulders. She was more than willing to meet them all
half-way. She would sit in the arm-chair all the morning and try to
drink porter at lunch if they would receive her father graciously. Of
course she was bound to her husband. She did not wish not to be bound
to him. She was quite sure that she loved her husband with a perfect
love. But her marriage happiness could not be complete unless her
father was to make a part of the intimate home circle of her life. She
was now so animated in her request to him, that her manner told all her
little story,--not only to him, but to Lady Sarah also.

"I will say do come also," said Lady Sarah, smiling.

Mary looked up at her and saw the smile. "If he were your papa," she
said, "you would be as anxious as I am." But she also smiled as she
spoke.

"Even though he is not, I am anxious."

"Who could refuse when so entreated? Of course I shall be delighted to
come," said the Dean. And so it was settled. Her father was to be again
made welcome at Manor Cross, and Mary thou