father's rank,
making havoc in the educated classes."

Though accustomed to show herself instantly appreciative of her
father's meanings, Grace was fairly unable to look anyhow but at a loss
now.

"No, no--of course you don't know what I mean, or you pretend you
don't; though, for my part, I believe women can see these things
through a double hedge. But I suppose I must tell ye. Why, you've
flung your grapnel over the doctor, and he's coming courting forthwith."

"Only think of that, my dear! Don't you feel it a triumph?" said Mrs.
Melbury.

"Coming courting! I've done nothing to make him," Grace exclaimed.

"'Twasn't necessary that you should, 'Tis voluntary that rules in these
things....Well, he has behaved very honorably, and asked my consent.
You'll know what to do when he gets here, I dare say. I needn't tell
you to make it all smooth for him."

"You mean, to lead him on to marry me?"

"I do. Haven't I educated you for it?"

Grace looked out of the window and at the fireplace with no animation
in her face. "Why is it settled off-hand in this way?" said she,
coquettishly. "You'll wait till you hear what I think of him, I
suppose?"

"Oh yes, of course. But you see what a good thing it will be."

She weighed the statement without speaking.

"You will be restored to the society you've been taken away from,"
continued her father; "for I don't suppose he'll stay here long."

She admitted the advantage; but it was plain that though Fitzpiers
exercised a certain fascination over her when he was present, or even
more, an almost psychic influence, and though his impulsive act in the
wood had stirred her feelings indescribably, she had never regarded him
in the light of a destined husband. "I don't know what to answer," she
said. "I have learned that he is very clever."

"He's all right, and he's coming here to see you."

A premonition that she could not resist him if he came strangely moved
her. "Of course, father, you remember that it is only lately that
Giles--"

"You know that you can't think of him. He has given up all claim to
you."

She could not explain the subtleties of her feeling as he could state
his opinion, even though she had skill in speech, and her father had
none. That Fitzpiers acted upon her like a dram, exciting her,
throwing her into a novel atmosphere which biassed her doings until the
influence was over, when she felt something of the nature of regret for
the mood she