the agent, might have instructions to buy Miss Lovelace a present. Of
this latter offer Lord George took no notice; but the intimation
concerning the house sat gravely on his mind.

The Dean did exactly as he had said with reference to the house in
town. Of course it was necessary that there should be arrangements as
to money between him and Lord George, in which he was very frank.
Mary's money was all her own,--giving her an income of nearly L1500
per annum. The Dean was quite of opinion that this should be left to
Lord George's management, but he thought it right as Mary's father to
stipulate that his daughter should have a home of her own. Then he
suggested a small house in town, and expressed an opinion that his
daughter should be allowed to live there six months in the year. The
expense of such a sojourn might be in some degree shared by himself if
Lord George would receive him for a month or so in the spring. And so
the thing was settled, Lord George pledging himself that the house
should be taken. The arrangement was distasteful to him in many ways,
but it did not seem to be unreasonable, and he could not oppose it.
Then came the letter from the Marquis. Lord George did not consider
himself bound to speak of that letter to the Dean; but he communicated
the threat to Mary. Mary thought nothing about it, except that her
future brother-in-law must be a very strange man.

During all those three months she strove very hard to be in love, and
sometimes she thought that she had succeeded. In her little way she
studied the man's character, and did all she could to ingratiate
herself with him. Walking seemed to be his chief relaxation, and she
was always ready to walk with him. She tried to make herself believe
that he was profoundly wise. And then, when she failed in other things,
she fell back upon his beauty. Certainly she had never seen a handsomer
face, either on a man's shoulders or in a picture. And so they were
married.

Now I have finished my introduction,--having married my heroine to my
hero,--and have, I hope, instructed my reader as to those hundred and
twenty incidents, of which I spoke--not too tediously. If he will go
back and examine, he will find that they are all there. But perhaps it
will be better for us both that he should be in quiet possession of
them without any such examination.

CHAPTER III.

LIFE AT MANOR CROSS.

The married couple passed their honeymoon in Ireland, Lady Brother