every one else thinks so well of him. You must have seen how he has
softened towards him since they met. Mr. Egerton's old family and
position are quite an equivalent for my money, whatever that may be.
O Mary, I don't think papa can refuse his consent.'

'I am rather doubtful about that, Milly. It's one thing to like Mr.
Egerton very well as a visitor--quite another to accept him as a son-
in-law. Frankly, my dearest, I fear your father will be against the
match.'

'Mary,' cried Milly reproachfully, 'I can see what it is--you are
prejudiced against Mr. Egerton.'

'I am only anxious for your welfare, darling. I like Mr. Egerton
very much. It is difficult for any one to avoid liking him. But I
confess that I cannot bring myself to put entire trust in him.'

'Why not?'

I did not like to tell her the chief reason for my distrust--that
mysterious relation between Angus Egerton and Mrs. Darrell. The
subject was a serious--almost a dangerous--one; and I had no positive
evidence to bring forward in proof of my fancy. It was a question of
looks and words that had been full of significance to me, but which
might seem to Milly to mean very little.

'We cannot help our instinctive doubts, dear. But if you can trust
Mr. Egerton, and if your father can trust him, my fancies can matter
very little. I cannot stand between you and your love, dear--I know
that.'