course poor mamma did mean to tell him.'

'She cannot tell him now, and therefore you ought to do what she
would have done.'

'I cannot break my promise to him.' 'Him' always meant Mr Tregear.
'I have told him that I would not do so till I had his consent,
and I will not.'

This was very dreadful to Mrs Finn, and yet she was most unwilling
to take upon herself the part of stern elder, and declare that
under the circumstances she must tell the tale. The story had been
told to her under the supposition that she was not a stern elder,
that she was regarded as the special friend of the dear mother who
was gone, that she might be trusted against the terrible weight of
parental authority. She could not endure to be regarded at once a
traitor by this young friend who had sweetly inherited the
affection with which the Duchess had regarded her. And yet if she
were to be silent now how could she forgive herself? 'The Duke
certainly ought to know at once,' said she, repeating her words
merely that she might gain some time for thinking, and pluck up
courage to declare her purpose, should she resolve on betraying
the secret.

'If you tell him now, I will never forgive you,' said Lady Mary.

'I am bound in honour to see that your father knows a thing which
is of such vital importance to him and to you. Having heard all
this I have no right to keep it from him. If Mr Tregear really
loves you'--Lady Mary smiled at the doubt implied by this