ress, she would certainly have
rejected the offer. And now the tedium of such a life was plainer to
her than it would have been then. But, under her father's auspices, a
pleasant, gay little house in town had been taken for her, and she had
been able to gild the dullness of Manor Cross with the brightness of
her future prospects. For four or five months she would be her own
mistress, and would be so in London. Her husband would be living on her
money, but it would be the delight of her heart that he should be happy
while doing so. And all this must be safe and wise, because it was to
be done under the advice of her father. Now it was proposed to her that
she should abandon all this and live in some smaller, poorer, duller
country residence, in which she would be the least of the family
instead of the mistress of her own house. She thought of it all for a
moment, and then she answered him with a firm voice.

"If you wish to give up the house in London we will do so."

"It would distress you I fear." When we call on our friends to
sacrifice themselves, we generally wish them also to declare that they
like being sacrificed.

"I should be disappointed of course, George."

"And it would be unjust," said he.

"If you wish it I will not say a word against it."

On that afternoon he rode into Brotherton to tell the tidings to the
Dean. Upon whatever they might among them decide, it was expedient that
the Dean should be at once told of the marriage. Lord George, as he
thought over it all on horseback, found difficulties on every side. He
had promised that his wife should live in town, and he could not go
back from that promise without injustice. He understood the nature of
her lately offered sacrifice, and felt that it would not liberate his
conscience. And then he was sure that the Dean would be loud against
any such arrangement. The money no doubt was Mary's own money and,
subject to certain settlement, was at Lord George's immediate disposal;
but he would be unable to endure the Dean's reproaches. He would be
unable also to endure his own, unless--which was so very
improbable--the Dean should encourage him. But how were things to be
arranged? Was he to desert his mother and sisters in their difficulty?
He was very fond of his wife; but it had never yet occurred to him that
the daughter of Dean Lovelace could be as important to him as all the
ladies of the house of Germain. His brother purposed to bring his wife
to Mano