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 'It will enable me to befriend her more effectually.'

'But, dearest father, you must be the first consideration to us,—to me and Peregrine. Will it make you more happy?'

'I think it will,' he answered slowly.

'Then I, for one, will say nothing against it,' she answered. She was very weak, it will be said. Yes, she was weak. Many of the sweetest, kindest, best of women are weak in this way. It is not every woman that can bring herself to say hard useful, wise words in opposition to the follies of those they love best. A woman to be useful and wise no doubt should have such power. For myself I am not so sure that I like useful and wise women. 'Then I for one will say nothing against it,' said Mrs. Orme, deficient in utility, wanting in wisdom, but full of the sweetest affection.

'You are sure that you will not love her the less yourself?' said Sir Peregrine.

'Yes; I am sure of that. If it were to be so, I should endeavour to love her the more.'

'Dearest Edith. I have only one other person to tell.'

'Do you mean Peregrine?' she said in her softest voice.

'Yes. Of course he must be told. But as it would not be well to ask his consent,—as I have asked yours—' and then as he said this she kissed his brow.

'But you will let him know it?'

'Yes; that is if she accepts my proposition. Then he shall know it immediately. And, Edith, my dear, you may be sure of this; nothing that I do shall be allowed in any way to injure his prospects or to hamper him as regards money when I am gone. If this marriage takes place I cannot do very much for her in the way of money; she will understand that. Something I can of course.'

And then Mrs. Orme stood over the fire, looking at the hot coals, and thinking what Lady Mason's answer would be. She esteemed Lady Mason very highly, regarding her as a woman sensible and conscientious at all points, and she felt by no means certain that the offer would be accepted. What if Lady Mason should say that such an arrangement would not be possible for her. Mrs. Orme felt that under such circumstances she at any rate would not withdraw her love from Lady Mason.

'And now I may as well speak to her at once,' said Sir Peregrine. 'Is she in the drawing-room?'

'I left her there.'

'Will you ask her to come to me—with my love?'

'I had better not say anything I suppose?'

Sir Peregrine in his heart of hearts wished that his daughter-in-law could say it all, but he would not give her such a commission. 'No; perhaps not.' And then Mrs. Orme was going to leave him.