em; and it was new light to him that he had come to a time of life
that could attach meaning to his attentions.

Whom had he been neglecting? What had his father been hoping? Who was
eminently calculated, and for what?

It flashed upon him all at once. 'I see! I see!' he cried, and burst
into a laugh.

Then came consternation, or something very like it. He did not want to
feel embarked in manhood. And then his far-away dream of a lady-love
had been so transcendently fair, so unequalled in grace, so perfect in
accomplishments, so enthusiastic in self-devoted charity, all
undefined, floating on his imagination in misty tints of glory! That
all this should be suddenly brought down from cloudland, to sink into
Mary Ponsonby, with the honest face and downright manner for whom
romance and rapture would be positively ridiculous!

Yet the notion would not be at once dismissed. His declaration that he
would do anything to gratify his father had been too sincere for him
lightly to turn from his suggestion, especially at a moment when he was
full of shame at his own folly, and eagerness to retain the ground he
had lost in his father's opinion, and, above all, to make him happy.
His heart thrilled and glowed as he thought of giving his father real
joy, and permanently brightening and enlivening that lonely, solitary
life. Besides, who could so well keep the peace between him and his
father, and save him by hints and by helpfulness from giving annoyance?
He had already learnt to depend on her; she entered into all his
interests, and was a most pleasant companion--so wise and good, that
the most satisfactory days of his life had been passed under her
management, and he had only broken from it to 'play the fool.' He was
sick of his own volatile Quixotism, and could believe it a relief to be
kept in order without trusting to his own judgment. She had every
right to his esteem and affection, and the warm feeling he had for her
could only be strengthened by closer ties. The unworldliness of the
project likewise weighed with him. Had she been a millionaire or a
Duke's daughter, he would not have spent one thought on the matter; but
he was touched by seeing how his father's better feelings had conquered
all desire for fortune or connexion.

And then Mary could always find everything he wanted!

'I will do it!' he determined. 'Never was son more bound to consider
his father. Of course, she will make a much better wife than