And as he remarked, when relating it to Elizabeth, ’One might really be tempted to misapprehend her ladyship’s . . .  I say one might commit oneself beyond recovery.  Now, my dear, what do you think she intended?’

Elizabeth was ‘burning brown,’ or darkly blushing, as her manner was.

She answered, ’I am certain you know of nothing that would interest her; nothing, unless . . .’

‘Well?’ the General urged her.

‘How can I speak it, papa?’

‘You really can’t mean . . .’

‘Papa, what could I mean?’

‘If I were fool enough!’ he murmured.  ’No, no, I am an old man.  I was saying, I am past the age of folly.’

One day Elizabeth came home from her ride in a thoughtful mood.  She had not, further than has been mentioned, incited her father to think of the age of folly; but voluntarily or not, Lady Camper had, by an excess of graciousness amounting to downright invitation; as thus, ’Will you persist in withholding your confidence from me, General?’ She added, ’I am not so difficult a person.’  These prompting speeches occurred on the morning of the day when Elizabeth sat at his table, after a long ride into the country, profoundly meditative.

A note was handed to General Ople, with the request that he would step in to speak with Lady Camper in the course of the evening, or next morning.  Elizabeth waited till his hat was on, then said, ’Papa, on my ride to-day, I met Mr. Rolles.’

‘I am glad you had an agreeable escort, my dear.’

‘I could not refuse his company.’

‘Certainly not.  And where did you ride?’

’To a beautiful valley; and there we met. . . . ’

‘Her ladyship?’

‘Yes.’

‘She always admires you on horseback.’

‘So you know it, papa, if she should speak of it.’

‘And I am bound to tell you, my child,’ said the General, ’that this morning Lady Camper’s manner to me was . . . if I were a fool . . .  I say, this morning I beat a retreat, but apparently she . . .  I see no way out of it, supposing she . . .’

‘I am sure she esteems you, dear papa,’ said Elizabeth.  ’You take to her, my dear?’ the General inquired anxiously; ’a little?—­a little afraid of her?’

‘A little,’ Elizabeth replied, ‘only a little.’

‘Don’t be agitated about me.’

‘No, papa; you are sure to do right.’

‘But you are trembling.’

‘Oh! no.  I wish you success.’

General Ople was overjoyed to be reinforced by his daughter’s good wishes.  He kissed her to thank her.  He turned back to her to kiss her again.  She had greatly lightened the difficulty at least of a delicate position.