"You're not a fool at all, George; but sometimes you are weak. He
looks to be strong. Is she like him?"

"Very like him."

"Then she must be handsome."

"Handsome; I should think she is too!" said George, quite forgetting
the description of his cousin which he had given some days previously
to Mrs. Morton.

She smiled, but took no notice aloud of his blunder. She knew him so
well that she understood it all. "Yes," she went on; "he came here
and said some bitter things. He said more, perhaps, than he ought to
have done."

"About me, Lucy?"

"I think that he spoke chiefly about myself. There was a little
explanation, and then he behaved very well. I have no quarrel with
him myself. He is a fine old gentleman; and having one only daughter,
and a large fortune, I do not wonder that he should want to make
inquiries before he gives her to you."

"He could do that without an attorney."

"Would you tell him the truth? The fact is, George, that you are not
the sort of son-in-law that fathers like. I suppose it will be off;
eh, George?" George made no immediate reply. "It is not likely that
she should have the constancy to stick to it for years, and I am sure
you will not. Has he offered you money?" Then George told her almost
with accuracy the nature of the proposition made to him.

"It is very generous," she said.

"I don't see much of that."

"It certainly is very generous."

"What ought a fellow to do?"

"Only fancy, that you should come to me to ask me such a question!"

"I know you will tell me true."

"Do you love her?"

"Yes."

"With all your heart?"

"What is the meaning of that? I do love her."

"Better than her father's money?"

"Much better."

"Then stick to her through thick and thin. But you don't. I must not
advise you in accordance with what you say, but with what I think.
You will be beaten, certainly. She will never be your wife; and were
you so married, you would not be happy with such people. But she
will never be your wife. Take Sir Harry's offer, and write to her a
letter, explaining how it is best for all that you should do so."

He paused a moment, and then he asked her one other question: "Would
you write the letter for me, Lucy?"

She smiled again as she answered him: "Yes; if you make up your mind
to do as Sir Harry asks you, I will write a draft of what I think you
should say to her."

CHAPTER XVI.

SIR HARRY'S RETURN.

Sir Harry received the grandly word