Oliver Dynevor's was a succinct business-like letter, certifying his
cousin that he had been mistaken in his view of the marriage. Dona
Rosita de Guzman was an orphan of a very respectable family, who had
come to spend the year before her intended noviciate at the house of
an uncle. She was very young, and Mr. Dynevor believed that the
marriage had been hastened by her relations making her feel herself
unwelcome, and her own reluctance to return to her convent, and that
she might not be aware how very recently Mr. Ponsonby had become a
widower. For his own part, he was little used to ladies' society,
and could form no judgment of the bride; but he could assure Lord
Ormersfield that she had been guilty of no impropriety; she was
visited by every one; and that there was no reason against Mary
Ponsonby associating with her.

'What could the clerk be thinking of?' exclaimed Louis.

'My first impression was not taken from the clerk. What I heard
first, and in the strongest terms, was from the captain of a ship at
Valparaiso. In fact, it was in the mouth of all who had known the
family. Robson neither confirmed nor contradicted, and gave me the
notion of withholding much from regard for his employer. He lamented
the precipitation, but seemed willing to make excuses. He distinctly
said, he would not take it on himself to recommend Miss Ponsonby's
continuing her journey. He was right. If I had known all this, I
should still have brought her home. I must write an apology, as far
as her character is concerned; but, be that as it may, the marriage
is atrocious--an insult--a disgrace! He could not have waited six
weeks--'