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 again to her own room immediately. But it occurred to him that if it would be well that he should speak to her, it would be well that he should do so at once; and what opportunity could be more fitting than the present? 'If you are not in a hurry about anything,' he said, 'would you mind staying here for a few minutes?'

'Oh no, certainly not.' But he could perceive that her voice trembled in uttering even these few words.

'I think I'd better light a candle,' he said; and then he did light one of those which stood on the corner of the mantelpiece,—a solitary candle, which only seemed to make the gloom of the large room visible. She, however, was standing close to it, and would have much preferred that the room should have been left to its darkness.

'Won't you sit down for a few minutes?' and then she sat down. 'I'll just shut the door, if you don't mind.' And then, having done so, he returned to his own chair and again faced the fire. He saw that she was pale and nervous, and he did not like to look at her as he spoke. He began to reflect also that they might probably be interrupted by his mother, and he wished that they could adjourn to some other room. That, however, seemed to be impossible; so he summoned up all his courage, and began his task.

'I hope you won't think me uncivil, Lady Mason, for speaking to you about this affair.'

'Oh no, Mr. Orme; I am sure that you will not be uncivil to me.'

'Of course I cannot help feeling a great concern in it, for it's very nearly the same, you know, as if he were my father. Indeed, if you come to that, it's almost worse; and I can assure you it is nothing about money that I mind. Many fellows in my place would be afraid about that, but I don't care twopence what he does in that respect. He is so honest and so noble-hearted, that I am sure he won't do me a wrong.'

'I hope not, Mr. Orme; and certainly not in respect to me.'

'I only mention it for fear you should misunderstand me. But there are other reasons, Lady Mason, why this marriage will make me—make me very unhappy.'

'Are there? I shall be so unhappy if I make others unhappy.'

'You will then,—I can assure you of that. It is not only me, but your own son. I was up with him to-day, and he thinks of it the same as I do.'

'What did he say, Mr. Orme?'

'What did he say? Well, I don't exactly remember his words; but he made me understand that your marriage with Sir Peregrine would make him very unhappy. He did indeed. Why do you not see him yourself, and talk to him?'

'I thought it best to write to him in the first place.'