he would marry as soon as he could find a fitting wife.  Of course it would be right that he should marry.  He fully understood the responsibilities of his position;—­so he said, in answer to his aunt’s eager, scrutinising, beseeching questions.  But as he had joined his regiment, he thought it would be good for him to remain with it one year longer.  He particularly desired to see something of Ireland, and if he did not do so now, he would never have the opportunity.  Lady Scroope, understanding well that he was pleading for a year of grace from the dulness of the Manor, explained to him that his uncle would by no means expect that he should remain always at Scroope.  If he would marry, the old London house should be prepared for him and his bride.  He might travel,—­not, however, going very far afield.  He might get into Parliament; as to which, if such were his ambition, his uncle would give him every aid.  He might have his friends at Scroope Manor,—­Carnaby and all the rest of them.  Every allurement was offered to him.  But he had commenced by claiming a year of grace, and to that claim he adhered.

Could his uncle have brought himself to make the request in person, at first, he might probably have succeeded;—­and had he succeeded, there would have been no story for us as to the fortunes of Scroope Manor.  But the Earl was too proud and perhaps too diffident to make the attempt.  From his wife he heard all that took place; and though he was grieved, he expressed no anger.  He could not feel himself justified in expressing anger because his nephew chose to remain for yet a year attached to his profession.  “Who knows what may happen to him?” said the Countess.

“Ah, indeed!  But we are all in the hands of the Almighty.”  And the Earl bowed his head.  Lady Scroope, fully recognizing the truth of her husband’s pious ejaculation, nevertheless thought that human care might advantageously be added to the divine interposition for which, as she well knew, her lord prayed fervently as soon as the words were out of his mouth.

“But it would be so great a thing if he could be settled.  Sophia Mellerby has promised to come here for a couple of months in the winter.  He could not possibly do better than that.”

“The Mellerbys are very good people,” said the Earl.  “Her grandmother, the duchess, is one of the very best women in England.  Her mother, Lady Sophia, is an excellent creature,—­religious, and with the soundest principles.  Mr. Mellerby, as a commoner, stands as high as any man in England.”

“They have held the same property since the wars of the roses.  And then I suppose the money should count for something,” added the lady.