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292 baronet with ten thousand a year coming to him? Had he not everything which fathers want for portionless daughters, and uncles for dependent nieces? Might he not well inform the doctor that he had something to tell him for his advantage?

And yet, to tell the truth, the doctor did not seem to be overjoyed when the announcement was first made to him. He was by no means overjoyed. On the contrary, even Sir Louis could perceive his guardian's surprise was altogether unmixed with delight.

What a question was this that was asked him! What would he think of a marriage between Mary Thorne—his Mary and Sir Louis Scatcherd? Between the alpha of the whole alphabet, and him whom he could not but regard as almost the omega! Think of it! Why he would think of it as though a lamb and a wolf were to stand at the altar together. Had Sir Louis been a Hottentot, or an Esquimaux, the proposal could not have astonished him more. The two persons were so totally of a different class, that the idea of the one falling in love with the other had never occurred to him. 'What would you think of Miss Mary Thorne?' Sir Louis had asked; and the doctor, instead of answering him with ready and pleased alacrity, stood silent, thunderstruck with amazement.

'Well, wouldn't she be a good wife?' said Sir Louis, rather in a tone of disgust at the evident disapproval shown at his choice. 'I thought you'd have been so delighted.'

'Mary Thorne!' ejaculated the doctor at last. 'Have you spoken to my niece about this, Sir Louis?'

'Well, I have, and yet I haven't; I haven't, and yet in a manner I have.'

'I don't understand you,' said the doctor.

'Why, you see, I haven't exactly popped to her yet; but I have been doing the civil; and if she's up to snuff, as I take her to be, she knows very well what I'm after by this time.'

Up to snuff! Mary Thorne, his Mary, up to snuff! To snuff too of such a very disagreeable description!

'I think, Sir Louis, that you are in mistake about this. I think you will find that Mary will not be disposed to avail herself of the great advantages—for great they undoubtedly are—which you are able to offer to your intended wife. If you will take my advice, you will give up thinking of Mary. She would not suit you.'

'Not suit me! Oh, but I think she just would. She's got no money, you mean?'

'No, I did not mean that. It will not signify to you whether your wife has money or not. You need not look for money.