On the previous day he had received a letter from Miss Dunstable, which he had hitherto read but once.  His mother had interrupted him as he was about to refer to it; and now, as his father’s nag was being saddled—­he was still prudent in saving the black horse—­he again took it out.

Miss Dunstable had written in excellent humour.  She was in great distress about the oil of Lebanon, she said.  ’I have been trying to get a purchaser for the last two years; but my lawyer won’t let me sell it, because the would-be purchasers offer a thousand pounds or so less than the value.  I would give ten to get rid of the bore; but I am as little able to act myself as Sancho was in his government.  The oil of Lebanon!  Did you hear anything of it when you were in those parts?  I thought of changing the name to “London particular”; but my lawyers says the brewers would bring an action against me.’

’I was going down to your neighbourhood—­to your friend the duke’s, at least.  But I am prevented by my poor doctor, who is so weak that I must take him to Malvern.  It is a great bore; but I have the satisfaction that I do my duty by him!

’Your cousin George is to be married at last.  So I hear, at least.  He loves wisely, if not well; for his widow has the name of being prudent and fairly well to do in the world.  She has got over the caprices of her youth.  Dear Aunt De Courcy will be so delighted.  I might perhaps have met her at Gatherum Castle.  I do so regret it.

’Mr Moffat has turned up again.  We all thought you had finally extinguished him.  He left a card the other day, and I have told the servant always to say that I am at home, and that you are with me.  He is going to stand for some borough in the west of Ireland.  He’s used to shillelaghs by this time.

’By the by, I have a cadeau for a friend of yours.  I won’t tell you what it is, nor permit you to communicate the fact.  But when you tell me that in sending it I may fairly congratulate her on having so devoted a slave as you, it shall be sent.

’If you have nothing better to do at present, do come and see my invalid at Malvern.  Perhaps you might have a mind to treat for the oil of Lebanon.  I’ll give you all the assistance I can in cheating my lawyers.’

There was not much about Mary in this; but still, the little that was said made him again declare that neither father nor mother should move him from his resolution.  ’I will write to her and say that she may send her present when she pleases.  Or I will run down to Malvern for a day.  It will do me good to see her.’  And so he resolved, he rode away to Mill Hill, thinking, as he went, how he would put the matter to Harry Baker.

Harry was at home; but we need not describe the whole interview.  Had Frank been asked beforehand, he would have declared, that on no possible subject could he have had the slightest hesitation in asking Harry any question, or communicating to him any tidings.  But when the time came, he found that he did hesitate much.  He did not want to ask his friend if he should be wise to marry Mary Thorne.  Wise or not, he was determined to do that.  But he wished to be quite sure that his mother was wrong in saying that all the world would dissuade him from it.  Miss Dunstable, at any rate, did not do so.