Mary would come to her, she would abstain from having other
company in the house till her young friend's spirits should have
somewhat recovered themselves. Nothing could be more kind, or
proposed in a sweeter fashion. There had, however, been present in
the Duke's mind as he read it a feeling that a proposition to a
bereaved husband to relieve him of the society of an only
daughter, was not one which would usually be made to a father. In
such a position a child's company would probably be his best
solace. But he knew,--at this moment, he painfully remembered,--that
he was not as other men. He acknowledged the truth of this, but he
was not the less grieved and irritated by the reminder. The letter
from Mrs Jeffrey Palliser was to the same effect, but was much
shorter. If it would suit Mary to come to them for a month or six
weeks at their place in Gloucestershire, they would both be
delighted.

'I should not choose her to go there,' said the Duke, as Mrs Finn
refolded the latter letter. 'My cousin's wife is a very good
woman, but Mary would not be happy with her.'

'Lady Cantrip is an excellent friend for her.'

'Excellent. I know no one whom I esteem more than Lady Cantrip.'

'Would you wish her to go there, Duke?'

There came a piteous look over the father's face. Why should he be
treated as no other father would be treated? Why should it be
supposed that he would desire to send his girl away from him? But
yet he felt that it would be better that she should go. It was his