of Ambar-Side would make Aspatria poor. While he was
considering these things, Lady Redware arrived at the castle, and they
talked over the matter together.

"I expected Ulfar to marry very differently, and I must say I am
disappointed. But I suppose it will be useless to make any opposition,
Elizabeth," the old man said to his daughter.

"Quite useless, father. But absence works miracles. Try to secure
twelve months. You ought to go to a warm climate this winter; ask
Ulfar to take you to Italy. In a year time may re-shuffle the cards.
And you must write to the girl, and to her eldest brother, who is a
fine fellow and as proud as Lucifer. I called upon them before I left
Cumberland. She is very handsome."

"Handsome! Old men know, Elizabeth, that six months after a man is
married, it makes little difference to him whether his wife is
handsome or not."

"That may be, or it may not be, father. The thing to consider is, that
young men unfortunately persist in marrying for that first six
months."

"Well, then, fortune pilots many a ship not steered. Suppose we leave
things to circumstances?"

"No, no! Human affairs are for the most part arranged in such a way
that those turn out best to which most care is devoted."

So the letters were thoughtfully written; the one to Aspatria being of
a paternal character, that to her brother polite and complimentary. To
his son Ulfar the old baronet made a very clever appeal. He reminded
him of his great age, and of the few opportunities left for showing
his affection and obedience. He regretted the necessity for a
residence in Italy during the winter, but trusted to his son's love to
see him through the experience. He congratulated Ulfar on winning the
love of a young girl so fresh and unspoiled by the world, but kindly
insisted upon the wisdom of a little delay, and the great benefit this
delay would be to himself.

It was altogether a very temperate, wise letter, appealing to the best
side of Ulfar's nature. Squire William read it also, and gave it his
most emphatic approval. He was in no hurry to lose his little sister.
She was but a child yet, and knew nothing of the world she was going
into; and "surely to goodness," he said, looking at the child, "she
will have a lot of things to look after, before she can think of
wedding."

This last conjecture touched Aspatria on a very womanly point. Of
course there were all her "things" to get ready. She had never
possessed more