But one grief did weigh heavily on Beatrice.  She continually heard her mother say things which made her feel that it would be more than ever impossible that Mary should be at her wedding; and yet she had promised her brother to ask her.  Frank had also repeated his threat, that if Mary were not present, he would absent himself.

Beatrice did what most girls do in such a case; what all would do who are worth anything; she asked her lover’s advice.

‘Oh! but Frank can’t be in earnest,’ said the lover.  ’Of course he’ll be at our wedding.’

’You don’t know him, Caleb.  He is so changed that no one hardly would know him.  You can’t conceive how much in earnest he is, how determined and resolute.  And then, I should like to have Mary so much if mamma would let her come.’

‘Ask Lady Arabella,’ said Caleb.

’Well, I suppose I must do that; but I know what she’ll say, and Frank will never believe that I have done my best.’  Mr Oriel comforted her with such little whispered consolations as he was able to afford, and then she went away on her errand to her mother.

She was indeed surprised at the manner in which her prayer was received.  She could hardly falter forth her petition; but when she had done so, Lady Arabella answered in this wise:—­

’Well my dear, I have no objection, none the least; that is, of course, if Mary is disposed to behave herself properly.’

‘Oh, mamma! of course she will,’ said Beatrice; ’she always did and always does.’

’I hope she will, my love.  But, Beatrice, when I say that I shall be glad to see her, of course I mean under certain conditions.  I never disliked Mary Thorne, and if she would only let Frank understand that she will not listen to his mad proposals, I should be delighted to see her at Greshamsbury just as she used to be.’

Beatrice could say nothing in answer to this; but she felt very sure that Mary, let her intention be what it might, would not undertake to make Frank understand anything at anybody’s bidding.

‘I will tell you what I will do, my dear,’ continued Lady Arabella; ’I will call on Mary myself.’

‘What! at Dr Thorne’s house?’

‘Yes; why not?  I have been at Dr Thorne’s house before now.’  And Lady Arabella could not but think of her last visit thither, and the strong feeling she had, as she came out, that she would never again enter those doors.  She was, however, prepared to do anything on behalf of her rebellious son.

‘Oh, yes!  I know that, mamma.’

’I will call upon her, and I can possibly manage it, I will ask her myself to make one of your party.  If so, you can go to her afterwards and make your own arrangements.  Just write her a note, my dear, and say that I will call to-morrow at twelve.  It might fluster her if I were to go without notice.’

Beatrice did as she was bid, but with a presentiment that no good would come of it.  The note was certainly unnecessary for the purpose assigned by Lady Arabella, as Mary was not given to be flustered by such occurrences; but, perhaps, it was as well as that it was written, as it enabled her to make up her mind steadily as to what information should be given, and what should not be given to her coming visitor.