'Of course you will say so. Of course everybody would say so. But
when there is one person whom one loves better than all the rest,
for whom one would be ready to die, to whom one is determined that
everything shall be devoted, surely the wishes of the person so
dear as that ought to have weight.'

'Not in persuading you to do that which is acknowledged to be
wrong.'

'What wrong? I am going to do nothing wrong.'

'The very concealment of your love is wrong, after that love has
been not only given but declared. A girl's position in such
matters is so delicate, especially that of such a girl as you!'

'I know all about that,' said Lady Mary, with something almost
like scorn in her tone. 'Of course I have to be--delicate. I don't
quite know what the word means. I am not ashamed of being in love
with Mr Tregear. He is a gentleman, highly educated, very clever,
of an old family,--older, I believe, than papa's. And he is manly
and handsome; just what a man should be. Only he is not rich.'

'If he be all that you say, ought you not to trust your papa? If
he approve of it, he should give you money.'

'Of course he must be told; but not now. He is nearly broken-
hearted about dear mamma. He could not bring himself to care about
anything of that kind at present. And then it is Mr Tregear that
should speak to him first.'