bout it, and says he can, of course, forgive
your feeling a little out of sorts just at present; and, I'm sure, so
can I, and I'm sure I'd do anything to make you happy; but as for
making it all up with Lord Ballindine again, indeed it cannot be
thought of, Fanny; and so your uncle will tell you."

And then Lord Cashel opened his oracular mouth, for the purpose of
doing so.

"Really, Fanny, this is the most unaccountable thing I ever heard of.
But you'd better sit down, while I speak to you," and Fanny sat down on
the sofa. "I think I understood you rightly, when you desired me, less
than a month ago, to inform Lord Ballindine that circumstances--that
is, his own conduct--obliged you to decline the honour of his alliance.
Did you not do so spontaneously, and of your own accord?"

"Certainly, uncle, I agreed to take your advice; though I did so most
unwillingly."

"Had I not your authority for desiring him--I won't say to discontinue
his visits, for that he had long done--but to give up his pretensions
to your hand? Did you not authorise me to do so?"

"I believe I did. But, uncle--"

"And I have done as you desired me; and now, Fanny, that I have done
so--now that I have fully explained to him what you taught me to
believe were your wishes on the subject, will you tell me--for I really
think your aunt must have misunderstood you--what it is that you wish
me to do?"

"Why, uncle, you pointed out--and it was very true then, that my
fortune was not sufficient to enable Lord Ballindine to keep up his
rank. It is different now, and I am very, very sorry that it is so;
but it is different now, and I feel that I ought not to reject Lord
Ballindine, because I am so much richer than I was when he--when he
proposed to me."

"Then it's merely a matter of feeling with you, and not of affection?
If I understand you, you are afraid that you should be thought to have
treated Lord Ballindine badly?"

"It's not only that--" And then she paused for a few moments, and
added, "I thought I could have parted with him, when you made me
believe that I ought to do so, but I find I cannot."

"You mean that you love him?" and the earl looked very black at his
niece. He intended to frighten her out of her resolution, but she
quietly answered,

"Yes, uncle, I do."

"And you want me to tell him so, after having banished him from my
house?"

Fanny's eyes again shot fire at the word "banished", but she answered,
very quietly, and ev