'You do not understand the true state of the case, papa; and without
doing so, you cannot write such an answer aa they deserve.'

'I know this, that old Ormersfield has been the curse of my life!'
and out poured one of those torrents of fierce passion which had been
slowly but surely the death of his wife. Mary had never heard one in
the full tide before, but she stood firm; there were none of the
tears, auch as, in her mother, had been wont to exasperate him
further, but with pale cheeks, compressed lips, and hands locked
together, her heart was one silent entreaty that it might be forgiven
him above. Thus she stood while the storm of anger raged, and when
at last it had exhausted itself, he said, in a lower voice, 'And so
you are still taken with this fellow's son, this young puppy! I
thought you had more spirit and sense, Mary, or I never would have
trusted you among them.'

'There are very few people in this world half so good or so right-
minded as Fitzjocelyn,' said Mary, earnestly and deliberately. 'It
was he who bade me come to you, well knowing that we could never be
happy without your consent.'

'Oh! he did so, did he? He is deeper than I thought would not risk
your fortune. Why, Mary, I did not think a girl of your sense could
be so taken in! It is transparent, I tell you. They get you there,
flatter you up with their attentions, but when they find you too wise
for them the first time, off goes this youth to Miss Conway, finds
her a bad speculation, no heiress at all, and disposes of her to his
cousin. I wonder if he'll find old Dynevor grateful. Meanwhile the
old Lord must needs come out here, finds our gains a better prize