l, I think, be a
little weakened by what occurred to-day."

"What will be done?" she asked, whispering.

"Heaven only knows. But I can't go out of town to-morrow. I shall write
to George to-night and tell him everything that has occurred, and shall
beg that you may be allowed to stay with me for the few days that will
be necessary."

"Of course I will not leave you."

"It is not that. But I do not want you to go to Cross Hall quite at
present. If you went without me they would not let you come to the
deanery. Of course there will be a great commotion at Cross Hall. Of
course they will condemn me. Many will condemn me, as it will be
impossible to make the world believe the exact truth."

"I will never condemn you," she said. Then she came over and threw
herself on her knees at his feet, and embraced him. "But, papa, what
did the man say of me?"

"Not what he believed;--but what he thought would give me the greatest
anguish. Never mind. Do not ask any more questions. You also had better
write to your husband, and you can tell him fully all that I have told
you. If you will write to-night I will do so also, and I will take care
that they shall have our letters to-morrow afternoon. We must send a
message to say that we shall not be at the deanery to-morrow." The two
letters to Lord George were both written that night, and were both very
long. They told the same story, though in a different tone. The Dean
was by no means apologetic, but was very full and very true. When he
came to the odious word he could not write it, but he made it very
clear without writing. Would not the husband feel as he the father had
felt in regard to his young wife, the sweet pure girl of whose love and
possession he ought to be so proud? How would any brother be forgiven
who had assailed such a treasure as this;--much less such a brother as
this Marquis? Perhaps Lord George might think it right to come up. The
Dean would of course ask at the hotel on the following day, and would
go to the police office. He believed, he said, that no permanent injury
had been done. Then came, perhaps, the pith of his letter. He trusted
that Lord George would agree with him in thinking that Mary had better
remain with him in town during the two or three days of his necessarily
prolonged sojourn. This was put in the form of a request; but was put
in a manner intended to show that the request if not granted would be
enforced. The Dean was fully determined that M