ond
than he should have been of the lady's society. It must be understood
that Mary herself knew nothing of this, and was altogether free from
such suspicion. But the three sisters, and the Marchioness under their
tuition, had decided that it would be very much better that Lord
George should see no more of Mrs. Houghton. He was not, they thought,
infatuated in such a fashion that he would run to London after her;
but, when in London, he would certainly be thrown into her society. "I
cannot bear to think of it," continued Lady Susanna. Lady Amelia shook
her head. "I think, Sarah, you ought to speak to him seriously. No man
has higher ideas of duty than he has; and if he be made to think of it,
he will avoid her."

"I have spoken," replied Lady Sarah, almost in a whisper.

"Well!"

"Well!"

"Was he angry?"

"How did he bear it?"

"He was not angry, but he did not bear it very well. He told me that he
certainly found her to be attractive, but that he thought he had power
enough to keep himself free from any such fault as that. I asked him to
promise me not to see her; but he declined to make a promise which he
said he might not be able to keep."

"She is a horrid woman, and Mary. I am afraid, likes her," said Lady
Susanna. "I know that evil will come of it."

Sundry scenes counter to this were enacted at the deanery. Mary was in
the habit of getting herself taken over to Brotherton more frequently
than the ladies liked; but it was impossible that they should openly
oppose her visits to her father. On one occasion, early in January, she
had got her husband to ride over with her, and was closeted with the
Dean while he was away in the city. "Papa," she said, "I almost think
that I'll give up the house in Munster Court."

"Give it up! Look here, Mary; you'll have no happiness in life unless
you can make up your mind not to allow those old ladies at Manor Cross
to sit upon you."

"It is not for their sake. He does not like it, and I would do anything
for him."

"That is all very well; and I would be the last to advise you to oppose
his wishes if I did not see that the effect would be to make him
subject to his sisters' dominion as well as you. Would you like him to
be always under their thumb?"

"No, papa; I shouldn't like that."

"It was because I foresaw all this that I stipulated so expressly as I
did that you should have a house of your own. Every woman, when she
marries, should be emancipated from other