Page:Orley Farm (Serial Volume 17).pdf/16

194 intended to throw on her shoulders the burden of converting Lady Staveley to the Graham interest. He took care to do this himself effectually, so that in fact there should be no burden left for Madeline's shoulders. 'Well, my dear,' he said that same Sunday evening to his wife, 'I have had it all out with Madeline this afternoon.'

'About Mr. Graham, do you mean?'

'Yes; about Mr. Graham. I have promised that he shall come here for the assize week.'

'Oh, dear!'

'It's done, my love; and I believe we shall find it all for the best. The bishops' daughters always marry clergymen, and the judges' daughters ought to marry lawyers.'

'But you can't give him a practice. The bishops have livings to give away.'

'Perhaps I may show him how to make a practice for himself, which would be better. Take my word for it that it will be best for her happiness. You would not have liked to be disappointed yourself, when you made up your mind to be married.'

'No, I should not,' said Lady Staveley.

'And she will have a will of her own quite as strong as you had.' And then there was silence in the room for some time.

'You'll be kind to him when he comes?' said the judge.

'Oh, yes,' said Lady Staveley, in a voice that was by no means devoid of melancholy.

'Nobody can be so kind as you when you please. And as it is to be'

'I always did like him,' said Lady Staveley, 'although he is so very plain.'

'You'll soon get used to that, my dear.'

'And as for poor young Mr. Orme'

'As for poor young Mr. Orme, as you call him, he will not die of a broken heart. Poor young Mr. Orme has all the world before him and will soon console himself.'

'But he is so attached to her. And then The Cleeve is so near.'

'We must give up all that, my dear.'

'Very well,' said Lady Staveley; and from that moment it may be said that she had given in her adhesion to the Graham connection. When some time after she gave her orders to Baker as to preparing a room for Mr. Graham, it was made quite clear to that excellent woman by her mistress's manner and anxiety as to the airing of the sheets, that Miss Madeline was to have her own way in the matter.

But long previous to these preparations Madeline and her mother had discussed the matter fully. 'Papa says that Mr. Graham is to come here for the assize week,' said Lady Staveley.

'Yes; so he told me,' Madeline replied, very bashfully.