of things that you should not be
missed; but I should think your place as well supplied as could be
hoped by that very handsome and superior Miss Nugent, with whom she
lives. I had a good deal of conversation with both; for you will be
surprised to hear that the Canon has consented to Mark's making the
experiment of working for a year in Greenleaf and Dutton's office, with
a view to entering the firm in future. I was very anxious to
understand from such true ladies what the position would be socially. I
longed to talk it over with you beforehand; but Alwyn could never spare
you, and it was not a subject to be broached without ample time for
discussion. We felt that though the Kirkaldys could tell us much, it
was only from the outside, whereas Miss Headworth could speak from
within. The decision is of course a blow to his father, and will be
still more so to the De Lyonnais family, but they have never done
anything to entitle them to have a voice in the matter, and the
Kirkaldys agree with us that, though not a path of distinction, it is
one of honourable prosperity; and with this, if Mark is content, we
have no right to object, since his mind is set on present happiness
rather than ambition.'

It was a letter gratifying to Alice in its confidential tone, as well
as in the evident approval of those surroundings which she loved so
well. She read it to her husband, as she was desired to give him a
message that the Canon had not written out of consideration for his
eyes. He laughed the laugh that always jarred on her. 'So Master Mark
has got his nose to the grindstone, has he?' was his first exclamation,
and, after some cogitation, 'The fellow wants to be married, depend on
it!'

'Do you think so?' returned Alice wistfully.

'Think! Why, you may see it in Jane's letter! I wonder who it is! The
little yellow Ruthven girl, most likely! The boy is fool enough for
anything! I thought he would have mended his fortunes with Ursula, but
he's too proud to stomach that, I suppose!'

'I did wish that!' said Alice. 'It would have set everything straight,
and it would have been so nice for her.'

'You should have cut out your daughter after your own pattern,' he
answered; 'not let her be such a raw insignificant little spitfire.
'Tis a pity. I don't want the estate to go out of the name, though I
won't leave it to an interfering prig like Mark unless he chooses to
take my daughter with it!'

The latter part of this