Egerton took the letter and read it rapidly, though with attention.

"True," said he, as he returned the letter: "and before he does so he
wishes you to see Miss Digby and to judge of her yourself,--wishes to
know if you will approve and sanction his choice."

"It is on this that I would consult you: a girl without rank; the father,
it is true, a gentleman, though almost equivocally one, but the mother, I
know not what. And Harley, for whom I hoped an alliance with the first
houses in England!" The countess pressed her hands convulsively
together.

EGERTON.--"He is no more a boy. His talents have been wasted, his life a
wanderer's. He presents to you a chance of resettling his mind, of
re-arousing his native powers, of a home besides your own. Lady
Lansmere, you cannot hesitate!"

LADY LANSMERE .--"I do, I do? After all that I have hoped after all that
I did to prevent--"

EGERTON (interrupting her).--"You owe him now an atonement; that is in
your power,--it is not in mine." The countess again pressed Audley's
hand, and the tears gushed from her eyes.

"It shall be so. I consent, I consent. I will silence, I will crush
back this proud heart. Alas! it well-nigh broke his own! I am glad you
speak thus. I like to think he owes my consent to you. In that there is
atonement for both."