augh. "We have all made a friend of him."

"Ay--and have been fools, perchance, to do it. 'Tis ill toying with a
snake. But yet once--a Papist?"

"Good lack! some Papists will get to Heaven, trow."

"May God grant it!" replied Sir Thomas seriously. "But surely, Orige,
surely thou wouldst never have our own child a Papist?"

"I trust Blanche has too much good sense for such foolery, Sir Thomas,"
said the lady. "But if no--well, 'tis an old religion, at the least,
and a splendrous. You would never let such a chance slip through your
fingers, for the sake of Papistry?"

"No, Sister--for the sake of the Gospel," said Rachel grimly.

"Thou wist my meaning, Rachel," pursued Lady Enville. "Well, in very
deed, Sir Thomas, I do think it were ill done to let such a chance go by
us. 'Tis like throwing back the gifts of Providence. Do but see, how
marvellously this young man was brought hither! And now, if he hath
made suit for Blanche, I pray you, never say him nay! I would call it
wicked to do the same. Really wicked, Sir Thomas!"

Lady Enville pinched the top cushion into a different position, with
what was energy for her. There was silence for a minute. Rachel sat
looking grimly into the fire, the personification of determined
immobility. Sir Thomas was shading his eyes with his hand. He was
drinking just then a very bitter cup: and it was none the sweeter for
the recollection that he had mixed it himself. His favourite child--for
Blanche was that--seemed to be going headlong to her ruin: and her
mother not only refused to aid in saving her, but was incapable of
seeing any need that she should be saved.

"Well, Orige," he said at last, "thou takest it other than I looked for.
I had meant for to bid thee speak with Blanche. Her own mother surely
were the fittest to do the same. But since this is so, I see no help
but that we have her here, before us three. It shall be harder for the
child, and I would fain have spared her. But if it must be,--why, it
must."

"She demeriteth [merits] no sparing," said Rachel sternly.

"Truly, Sir Thomas," responded his wife, "if I am to speak my mind, I
shall bid Blanche God speed therein. So, if you desire to let [hinder]
the same--but I think it pity a thousand-fold you should--you were
better to see her without me."

"Nay, Orige! Shall I tell the child to her face that her father and her
mother cannot agree touching her disposal?"

"She will see it if she c