concerned.'

'Yours! I am not talking of yours. What is to become of Mary with
such a man as that? and this Spanish woman, who, if she does not
deserve all that has been said of her, no doubt soon will?--no
education, no principles, breaking out of her convent! And you let
yourself be drawn into calling it Mary's duty to run into such
company as that! You are not fit to protect her.'

'From all I have heard of Mr. Ponsonby, I am convinced he has too
much regard for his daughter to summon her into any improper society.
I do not hear that he has been to blame as a father. I wish I could
see it as you do; but not only do I know that Mary could not have an
instant's peace under the sense of his displeasure, but it seems to
me that this is one of the express commands which could not be
disobeyed without setting aside the law of Heaven. If I gave my
voice against it, I should fear to bring on us a curse, and not a
blessing.'

'Fitzjocelyn, I always knew how it would be if you took to being one
of those very good people. Nothing is so weak, and yet so
unmanageable. Any rational being would look on it as a duty to
rescue her from such a man as that; but that is too ordinary a virtue
for you. You must go higher.'

Louis made no answer. Never had his father pained him so much, and
he could ill brook additional suffering.

'However,' said the Earl, recovering, 'I shall see her. I shall put
the matter in a just light. She is a sensible girl, and will