erto he
had so entirely felt with Mary, as never to have seen the ludicrous
aspect of the elopement. Presently, however, he was amused by
perceiving that his father not merely regarded it as a relief from an
embarrassing charge, but as an entire acquittal for his own conscience
for any slanders he had formerly believed of Dona Rosita.

Louis briefly explained that, the poor lady being provided for by
Robson's investments in America, he had thought it right that the
Ponsonby share of the firm should bear the loss through these
embezzlements; and he had found that her extravagance had made such
inroads on the property, that while the Dynevor share (always the
largest) resulted in a fair competence, Louis had saved nothing out of
the wreck of the Ponsonby affairs but Mary herself. 'Can you excuse
it, father?' he said, with all the old debonnaire manner.

'You will never be a rich man, Louis. You and she will have some
cares, but--' and his voice grew thick--'you are rich in what makes
life happy. You have left me nothing more to ask or wish for!'

'Except that I may be worthy of her, father. You first taught me how
she ought to be loved. You have been very patient with me all this
time. I feel as if I must thank you for her--' and then, changing his
tone as she opened the door--'Look at her now she has her bonnet
off--does not she look natural?'

'I am sure I feel so,' said Mary. 'You know this always seemed more
like home than anything else.'

'Yes, and now I do feel sure that I have you at last, Mary. That
Moorish castle of yours used to make me afraid of wakening: it was so
much fitter for Isabel's fantastic Viscount. By-the-bye, has she
brought that book out?'

'Oh, yes, and James is nearly as proud of it as he is of his son. He
actually wanted me to read it! He tells me it is selling very well,
and I hope it may really bring them in something.'

'Now, then--there's the tea. Sit down, Mary, and look exactly as you
did the morning I came home and found you.'

'I'm afraid I cannot,' said Mary, looking up in his face with an arch,
deprecating expression.

'Why not?'

'Don't you know that I am so much happier?'

Before breakfast next morning Fitzjocelyn must visit his farm, and Mary
must come with him.

How delicious was that English morning after their voyage; the slant
rays of the sun silvering the turf, and casting rainbows across the
gossamer threads from one brown bent to another; the harv