it?--bring my father off the notion?" Dolly had reached the very core
of the subject now and touched what she wanted to touch; for she had a
certain assurance in her own mind that her father's intercourse with
the banker and his circle of friends had led to all this trouble.
Lawrence pondered, looked serious; and finally promised that he would
"see what he could do." He would have urged his own question then; but
to Dolly's great relief Mr. Copley found by this time that he had had
enough of his own company; and called to them. However she could not
escape entirely.

"I have answered your question, Miss Copley," Lawrence said as they
were going down the slope towards the yet unseen caller. "Hallo! yes,
we're coming.--Now am I not to have the promised answer to mine?"

"How did you put it? the question?" said Dolly, standing still and
facing her difficulties.

"You know. _I_ don't know how I put it," St. Leger said with a half
laugh. "But I meant, Dolly, that you are more to me than everything and
everybody in the world; and I wanted to know what I am to you?"

"Not _that_, Mr. St. Leger." Dolly was quiet, and did not shun his
eyes; and though she did grow rosy, there were some suspicious dimples
in her fair little face; very unencouraging, but absolutely
irresistible at the same time.

"What then?" said the young man. "Of course, I could not be to you what
you are to me, Dolly. Naturally. But I can take care of your father and
mother, and I will; and I will put you in a place as good as Brierley
Park. I am my father's only son, and his heir, and I can do pretty much
what I like to do. But I care for nothing if you will not share it with
me."

"I am not going to leave my father and mother at present," said Dolly,
shaking her head.

"No, not at present," said he eagerly, catching at her words. "Not at
present. But you do not love anybody else, Dolly?"

"Certainly not!"

"Then you will let me hope? You will let me hold myself your best
friend, after them?"

"I believe you are that," said Dolly, giving him her hand;--"except my
old Methodist acquaintance, Mrs. Jersey." Which addition was a little
like a dash of cold water; but Lawrence was tolerably contented after
all; and pondered seriously what he could do in the matter of Mr.
Copley's gaming tendencies. Dolly was right; but it is awkward to
preach against what you practise yourself.

CHAPTER XIV.

DIFFICULTIES.

Dolly on her part had not much comfo