than he expected, trumps up this story at Valparaiso, takes you in,
and brings you home to this precious youth. And you, and your aunt
too, are ready to believe it all! I always knew that women were
fools whenever a title came in their way, I see it more than ever
now, since you and Melicent are both like the rest of 'em.'

'Papa,' said Mary, again rallying her firmness, 'we have found sadly
how easy it is to be deceived when one is not on the spot. Will you
listen to me, who saw it all?'

'No, Mary, I will not hear the nonsense they have put into your head,
my poor girl. No! I tell you it is of no use! It is my resolute
purpose that not one farthing of mine shall go to patch up the
broken-down Ormersfield property! The man is my enemy, and has sown
dissension in my family from the first moment I connected myself with
him. I'll never see my daughter his son's wife. I wonder he had the
impudence to propose it! I shall think you lost to all feeling for
your father, if you say another word about it.'

'Very well,' said Mary, with steady submission. 'Then I will only
write one more letter to Fitzjocelyn, and tell him that your
objections are insuperable, and that he must think of it no more.'

'That's right, Mary! you are a good girl, after all! You'll stand by
your father, in spite of all the House of Peers! I'm glad to see you
hold up your head so bravely. So you did fancy being a Viscountess,
did you! but it is not a heartbreaking matter either, my girl!'

This was too much for Mary, and when her father would have kissed
her, she laid her head on his shoulder and wept silently but