He informed Magdalen that neither he nor her mother felt themselves justified in blaming her attachment to Frank.  It had been in part, perhaps, the natural consequence of her childish familiarity with him; in part, also, the result of the closer intimacy between them which the theatrical entertainment had necessarily produced.  At the same time, it was now the duty of her parents to put that attachment, on both sides, to a proper test—­for her sake, because her happy future was their dearest care; for Frank’s sake, because they were bound to give him the opportunity of showing himself worthy of the trust confided in him.  They were both conscious of being strongly prejudiced in Frank’s favor.  His father’s eccentric conduct had made the lad the object of their compassion and their care from his earliest years.  He (and his younger brothers) had almost filled the places to them of those other children of their own whom they had lost.  Although they firmly believed their good opinion of Frank to be well founded—­still, in the interest of their daughter’s happiness, it was necessary to put that opinion firmly to the proof, by fixing certain conditions, and by interposing a year of delay between the contemplated marriage and the present time.

During that year, Frank was to remain at the office in London; his employers being informed beforehand that family circumstances prevented his accepting their offer of employment in China.  He was to consider this concession as a recognition of the attachment between Magdalen and himself, on certain terms only.  If, during the year of probation, he failed to justify the confidence placed in him—­a confidence which had led Mr. Vanstone to take unreservedly upon himself the whole responsibility of Frank’s future prospects—­the marriage scheme was to be considered, from that moment, as at an end.  If, on the other hand, the result to which Mr. Vanstone confidently looked forward really occurred—­if Frank’s probationary year proved his claim to the most precious trust that could be placed in his hands—­then Magdalen herself should reward him with all that a woman can bestow; and the future, which his present employers had placed before him as the result of a five years’ residence in China, should be realized in one year’s time, by the dowry of his young wife.

As her father drew that picture of the future, the outburst of Magdalen’s gratitude could no longer be restrained.  She was deeply touched—­she spoke from her inmost heart.  Mr. Vanstone waited until his daughter and his wife were composed again; and then added the last words of explanation which were now left for him to speak.