t last it had exhausted
itself, he said, in a lower voice, 'And so you are still taken with
this fellow's son, this young puppy! I thought you had more spirit and
sense, Mary, or I never would have trusted you among them.'

'There are very few people in this world half so good or so
right-minded as Fitzjocelyn,' said Mary, earnestly and deliberately.
'It was he who bade me come to you, well knowing that we could never be
happy without your consent.'

'Oh! he did so, did he? He is deeper than I thought would not risk
your fortune. Why, Mary, I did not think a girl of your sense could be
so taken in! It is transparent, I tell you. They get you there,
flatter you up with their attentions, but when they find you too wise
for them the first time, off goes this youth to Miss Conway, finds her
a bad speculation, no heiress at all, and disposes of her to his
cousin. I wonder if he'll find old Dynevor grateful. Meanwhile the
old Lord must needs come out here, finds our gains a better prize than
he expected, trumps up this story at Valparaiso, takes you in, and
brings you home to this precious youth. And you, and your aunt too,
are ready to believe it all! I always knew that women were fools
whenever a title came in their way, I see it more than ever now, since
you and Melicent are both like the rest of 'em.'

'Papa,' said Mary, again rallying her firmness, 'we have found sadly
how easy it is to be deceived when one is not on the spot. Will you
listen to me, who saw it all?'

'No, Mary, I will not hear the nonsense they have put into your head,
my poor girl. No! I tell you it is of no use! It is my resolute
purpose that not one farthing of mine shall go to patch up the
broken-down Ormersfield property! The man is my enemy, and has sown
dissension in my family from the first moment I connected myself with
him. I'll never see my daughter his son's wife. I wonder he had the
impudence to propose it! I shall think you lost to all feeling for
your father, if you say another word about it.'

'Very well,' said Mary, with steady submission. 'Then I will only
write one more letter to Fitzjocelyn, and tell him that your objections
are insuperable, and that he must think of it no more.'

'That's right, Mary! you are a good girl, after all! You'll stand by
your father, in spite of all the House of Peers! I'm glad to see you
hold up your head so bravely. So you did fancy being a Viscountess,
did you! but it is not a