Cottage, the cousin of Sir Henry
Challoner. Under the latter circumstances she would be received on
equal terms at Fitzroy Lodge and at the other houses of the
aristocracy. In marrying her, Dick would be at once on an intimate
footing with those very people who only just tolerated his father.

"Well," observed Sir Harry, after a lengthy pause, "what do you say
about the matter, eh? Though I have accumulated a pretty sum of money,
I do not pretend to be a millionaire; and of course, as I may settle
down some day and have a family of my own, I must not treat my cousins
as though they were my sisters. I think of allowing my aunt a
sufficient income during her lifetime to keep up Glen Cottage, and I
do not mind paying the girls three thousand pounds down on their
wedding-day just for pin-money; but more than that cannot be expected
of me."

"Of course not," returned Mr. Mayne; and then he hesitated. Three
thousand pounds was not much of a fortune. Why, the girl he wanted for
Dick had fifteen thousand, at least; but then Dick would not look at
her; and even three thousand was better than nothing. "I had hoped
better things for my son," he went on, stiffly. "I always meant Dick
to marry money."

"Oh, true, money is very good in its way; but then, you see, young
fellows are not always to be coerced. I believe there is a very strong
attachment between your son and my cousin Nan."

"It has cost me a great deal of vexation," replied Mr. Mayne very
testily,--all the more that his resolution was wavering. "I do not
wish to hurt your feelings, Sir Henry, but this confounded dressmaking
of theirs----" But here Sir Harry stopped him by a most extraordinary
facial contraction, which most certainly resembled a wink.

"Hush!" he exclaimed, in a very loud whisper. "It does not matter to
me, of course; but if I were you, I would not mention this little fact
to any one else. Girls are girls, and they will have their fling. A
good steady husband, that is what they want, the best of them, to
sober them when the right time comes. I mean to put a stop to this
nonsense; but after all, a little bit of larking like that with a lot
of high-spirited generous creatures, what does it matter in the long
run? You just settle things with me off-hand, and I will come to terms
with the young ladies. I am the head of the family, as they know." And
Sir Harry threw out his big chest with a sudden movement of importance
and pride. "I am the head of the