any rate, mother, I will never say a word to raise a hope in her--if it
would be a hope--"

"Of course it would be a hope."

"I don't know that at all. But I will never say any such word to her,
unless I make up my mind that I can afford to marry her."

"Oh, Frank, it would be impossible," said Mrs. Dean.

Mrs. Dean was a very good woman, but she had aspirations in the direction
of filthy lucre on behalf of her children, or at least on behalf of this
special child, and she did think it would be very nice if Frank would
marry an heiress. This, however, was a long time ago--nearly two years
ago; and many grave things had got themselves transacted since Lucy's
visit to the deanery. She had become quite an old and an accustomed member
of Lady Fawn's family. The youngest Fawn girl was not yet fifteen, and it
was understood that Lucy was to remain with the Fawns for some quite
indefinite time to come. Lady Fawn's eldest daughter, Mrs. Hittaway, had a
family of her own, having been married ten or twelve years, and it was
quite probable that Lucy might be transferred. Lady Fawn fully appreciated
her treasure, and was, and ever had been, conscientiously anxious to make
Lucy's life happy. But she thought that a governess should not be desirous
of marrying, at any rate till a somewhat advanced period of life. A
governess, if she were given to falling in love, could hardly perform her
duties in life. No doubt, not to be a governess, but a young lady free
from the embarrassing necessity of earning bread, free to have a lover and
a husband, would be upon the whole nicer. So it is nicer to be born to
£10,000 a year than to have to wish for £500. Lady Fawn could talk
excellent sense on this subject by the hour, and always admitted that much