s money as
certainly destined either for Caroline or George, considered that he
was wasting his time with his fusty books. She had not dared to say
much to George on this subject, and he had not taken very well the
little that she did say. She could not tell him that Caroline was Mr.
Bertram's granddaughter, but she did remind him that he himself was
Mr. Bertram's nephew, and hinted that though a profession might be
very eligible for a young man of such brilliant prospects, it could
hardly be necessary for him absolutely to make a slave of himself. To
this George had answered, somewhat curtly, that he had no reason to
expect anything further from his uncle; and that as he looked forward
to maintain himself and his wife by his successful exertions as a
barrister, it was absolutely necessary that he should at present work
very hard. "I have lost a whole year," he said to Miss Baker; "and
nothing but very sharp work can atone for that."

He never once saw his uncle after his first visit to Littlebath
till the next year was far advanced. He felt no desire to see him,
and certainly no wish to be the bearer of tidings as to his own
engagement. Miss Baker had undertaken to do this, and might do so if
she so pleased. As far as he was concerned, he had no idea of asking
permission to marry from any one.

"Why should I ask him," he had once said to Miss Baker. "I shall
marry just the same, whether he permits it or whether he does not."

This was grievous to the ladies at Littlebath. Very little had been
said about money between George and Miss Baker up to this time;
nothing had been said between George and Caroline; but the two ladies
knew that there could be no marriage till there was an adequate
income. The income of the gentleman when stripped of his fellowship
would be two hundred pounds a year; that of the lady was about the
same. Now Caroline Waddington had no intention whatever of marrying
on four hundred pounds a year; and it must be more than three years
at the very least before all this profound study would result in
golden fees.

Now that the matter was so far settled--settled as Bertram considered
it--he did tell Harcourt of his love. "Harcourt," said he, one day.
"I have a piece of news which perhaps I ought to tell you. I am
engaged to be married."

"Are you?" said Harcourt, rather too coolly to satisfy his friend's
expectation.

"I am not joking."

"Who ever accused you of joking since you took to the law