'O no, no; God forbid! Her father is dead and buried to her. So
that, you see, things are going on smoothly, and I don't want to
disturb their progress.'

He nodded. 'Very well,' he said, and rose to go. At the door,
however, he came back again.

'Still, Leonora,' he urged, 'I have come on purpose; and I don't see
what disturbance would be caused. You would simply marry an old
friend. Won't you reconsider? It is no more than right that we
should be united, remembering the girl.'

She shook her head, and patted with her foot nervously.

'Well, I won't detain you,' he added. 'I shall not be leaving
Exonbury yet. You will allow me to see you again?'

'Yes; I don't mind,' she said reluctantly.

The obstacles he had encountered, though they did not reanimate his
dead passion for Leonora, did certainly make it appear indispensable
to his peace of mind to overcome her coldness. He called frequently.
The first meeting with the daughter was a trying ordeal, though he
did not feel drawn towards her as he had expected to be; she did not
excite his sympathies. Her mother confided to Frances the errand of
'her old friend,' which was viewed by the daughter with strong
disfavour. His desire being thus uncongenial to both, for a long
time Millborne made not the least impression upon Mrs. Frankland.
His attentions pestered her rather than pleased her. He was