n,--and so much a Dean as to have
got the better of all enemies in the Close. And his daughter was
Marchioness of Brotherton. She would be Mary to him, and would
administer to his little comforts when men descended from the comrades
of William the Conqueror would treat her with semi-regal respect. He
told himself that he was sure of his daughter.

Then he ordered his horse, and started off to ride to Manor Cross. He
did not doubt but that she knew it already, but still it was necessary
that she should hear it from his lips and he from hers. As he rode
proudly beneath the Manor Cross oaks he told himself again and again
that they would all belong to his grandson.

When the Dean was announced Mary almost feared to see him,--or rather
feared that expression of triumph which would certainly be made both by
his words and manner. All that Lady Sarah had said had entered into her
mind. There were duties incumbent on her which would be very heavy, for
which she felt that she could hardly be fit,--and the first of these
duties was to abstain from pride as to her own station in life. But her
father she knew would be very proud, and would almost demand pride from
her. She hurried down to him nevertheless. Were she ten times a
Marchioness, next to her husband her care would be due to him. What
daughter had ever been beloved more tenderly than she? Administer to
him! Oh yes, she would do that as she had always done. She rushed into
his arms in the little parlour and then burst into tears.

"My girl," he said, "I congratulate you."

"No;--no, no."

"Yes, yes, yes. Is it not better in all ways that it should be so? I do
congratulate you. Hold up your head, dear, and bear it well."

"Oh, papa, I shall never bear it well."

"No woman that was ever born has, I believe, borne it better than you
will. No woman was ever more fit to grace a high position. My own
girl!"

"Yes, papa, your own girl. But I wish,--I wish----"

"All that I have wished has come about." She shuddered as she heard
these words, remembering that two deaths had been necessary for this
fruition of his desires. But he repeated his words. "All that I have
wished has come about. And, Mary, let me tell you this;--you should in
no wise be afraid of it, nor should you allow yourself to think of it
as though there were anything to be regretted. Which do you believe
would make the better peer; your husband or that man who has died?"

"Of course George is ten times th