Really, really, my dear! Oh, what a trial one's children sometimes are.
The Drummonds have bought the Towers. The whole thing is an accomplished
fact."

"It is not too late," pursued Antonia. "I have been giving a spice of my
mind to Susy, and she hates and detests the place, and will do what she
can to get her father to back out of his bargain. Well, the Lorrimers
are almost dying at the thought of going. The ugly duckling told me the
whole story to-day, and I never listened to anything more piteous; and
Squire Lorrimer is hiding in London because of his poor feelings. In
short, the moment for strong measures has arrived; and if you won't
speak to Sir John, I will."

Mrs. Bernard Temple turned white.

"If _you_ speak to him, Antonia," she said, "he will break off the
match, and we shall be ruined--ruined."

"Very well, mother; you must have a conversation with him. One or other
of us must have it, that is certain."

"Oh, you most terrible child! What am I to say to him?"

"Say this, and say it firmly. Say that you won't marry him unless he
goes to see Squire Lorrimer, and makes an arrangement to lend him
sufficient money to stay on at the Towers. The Drummonds will be
delighted to get out of their bargain, and the Lorrimers will be saved.
That's the plan of campaign. Either I undertake to see it through,
mother, or you do. Now, which is it to be?"

"You must give me until to-morrow morning to think over your wild words.
Really, my poor head is splitting."

Antonia went up and kissed her mother.

"You can come now, Pinkerton," she called out.

CHAPTER XXV.

MOLLY'S SORROW.

Hester was a good deal astonished that same day, when, just before
dinner, Annie Forest came up to her with a request.

"I don't want to dine here to-night," she said. "I want to go to the
Towers to have a good long talk with Molly."

"But, really, Annie," replied Hester, "is it necessary for you to go
to-night? I did not know--I mean I did not think that--that you and
Molly----"

"That we were special friends?" interrupted Annie. "Oh, yes, we are
quite friendly enough for the little talk I mean to have. You'll spare
me, won't you, Hetty, and if Molly offers me a bed, I'll sleep there and
be back quite early in the morning."

"I can't refuse you, of course," said Hester, "but that won't prevent my
missing you. It will be rather a dreadful dinner party, with only Mrs.
Bernard Temple and Antonia and that dreadful, sleepy Su