‘What!  And turn you out?’ said Mrs Dale.

‘That would not matter,’ said the squire.

‘You’d have to come and live with us,’ said Lily, taking him by the hand.

‘It doesn’t matter much now where I live,’ said the squire.

‘Bernard would never consent to that,’ said Mrs Dale.

‘I wonder whether she will ask me to be a bridesmaid?’ said Lily.  ’They say that Chaldicotes is such a pretty place, and I should see all the Barsetshire people that I’ve been hearing about from Grace.  Poor Grace!  I know that the Grantlys and the Thornes are very intimate.  Fancy Bernard having twenty thousand pounds from the making of ointment!’

‘What does it matter where it comes from?’ said the squire, half in anger.

‘Not in the least; only it sounds so odd.  I do hope she’s a nice girl.’

Then the squire produced a photograph of Emily Dunstable which his nephew had sent to him, and they all pronounced her to be very pretty, very much like a lady, and to be very good-humoured.  The squire was evidently pleased with the match, and therefore the ladies were pleased also.  Bernard Dale was the heir to the estate, and his marriage was of course a matter of moment; and as on such properties as that of Allington money is always wanted, the squire may be forgiven for the great importance which he attached to the young lady’s fortune.  ’Bernard could hardly have married prudently without any money,’ he said—­’unless he had chosen to wait till I am gone.’

‘And then he would have been too old to marry at all,’ said Lily.

But the squire’s budget of news had not yet been emptied.  He told them soon afterwards that he himself had been summoned up to London.  Bernard had written to him, begging him to come and see the young lady; and the family lawyer had written also, saying that his presence in town would be very desirable.  ‘It is very troublesome, of course; but I shall go,’ said the squire.  ‘It will do you all the good in the world,’ said Mrs Dale; ’and of course you ought to know her personally before the marriage.’  And then the squire made a clean breast of it and declared his full purpose.  ’I was thinking that, perhaps, Lily would not object to go up to London with me.’

‘Oh, uncle Christopher, I should so like it,’ said Lily.

‘If your mamma does not object.’

’Mamma never objects to anything.  I should like to see her objecting to that!’ And Lily shook her head at her mother.

‘Bernard says that Miss Dunstable particularly wants to see you.’

’Does she, indeed?  And I particularly want to see Miss Dunstable.  How nice!  Mamma, I don’t think I’ve ever been in London since I wore short frocks.  Do you remember taking us to the pantomime?  Only think how many years ago that is.  I’m quite sure it’s time that Bernard should get married.  Uncle, I hope you’re prepared to take me to the play.’