ladies."

"You could ask the Coopers from Mallingham," suggested the lady.

"I don't think they would dine out. He's getting very old."

"And I'm told the Mainwarings at Dillsborough are very nice
people," said Mrs. Morton, who knew that Mr. Mainwaring at any rate
came from a good family.

"I suppose they ought to call first. I never saw them in my life.
Reginald Morton, you know, is living at Hoppet Hall in
Dillsborough."

"You don't mean to say you wish to ask him to this house?"

"I think I ought. Why should I take upon myself to quarrel with a
man I have not seen since I was a child, and who certainly is my
cousin?"

"I do not know that he is your cousin; nor do you."

John Morton passed by the calumny which he had heard before, and
which he knew that it was no good for him to attempt to subvert.
"He was received here as one of the family, ma'am."

"I know he was; and with what result?"

"I don't think that I ought to turn my back upon him because my
great-grandfather left property away from me to him. It would give