a certain consciousness that most people thought another way
open to him, most decidedly his gentle aunt, and perhaps even his
parents. The matter came prominently before him one day at luncheon,
when, some parochial affairs being on hand and Mr. Egremont out for the
day, Alice, whose free forenoons enabled her to take a share in church
and parish affairs, was there, as well as the curate and his wife.

These good people were in great commotion about a wedding about to take
place between a young farmer and his delicate first cousin, the only
survivor of a consumptive family.

'"Proputty, proputty,"' quoted the Canon. 'James Johnson is what they
call a warm man.'

'It is a sin and a shame,' said Mrs. Edwards. 'What can they expect?
George Johnson looks strong enough now, but they tell me his brother
undoubtedly died of decline, though they called it inflammation; but
there was tubercular disease.'

'I am afraid it is strong in the family,' said the Canoness, 'they all
have those clear complexions; but I do believe George is heartily in
love with poor little Emily.'

'First cousins ought to be in the table of degrees,' said Mr. Edwards.

'It is always a question whether the multiplying of prohibitions
without absolute necessity is expedient,' said the Canon.

He spoke quite dispassionately, but the excellent couple were not
remarkable for tact. Mrs. Edwards gave her husband such a glance of
warning and consternation as violently inclined May to laugh, and he
obediently and hesitatingly began, 'Oh yes, sir, I beg your pardon. Of
course there may be instances,' thereby bringing an intense glow of
carnation into Alice's cheeks, while the Canon, ready for the occasion,
replied, 'And George Johnson considers himself one of them. He will
repair the old moat house, I suppose.'

And his wife, though she would rather have beaten Mrs. Edwards,
demanded how many blankets would be wanted that winter.

The effect of this little episode was that Mark announced to his father
that evening his strong desire to emigrate, an intention which the
Canon combated with all his might. He was apparently a hale and hearty
man, but he had had one or two attacks of illness that made him doubt
whether he would be long-lived; and not only could he not bear to have
his eldest son out of reach, but he dreaded leaving his family to such
a head as his brother. Mark scarcely thought the reasons valid,
considering the rapidity of communicatio