“But time enough has been taken now.  You see, Bernard, I am going to make a great sacrifice of income on your behalf.”

“I am sure I am very grateful.”

“I have no children, and have therefore always regarded you as my own.  But there is no reason why my brother Philip’s daughter should not be as dear to me as my brother Orlando’s son.”

“Of course not, sir; or, rather, his two daughters.”

“You may leave that matter to me, Bernard.  The younger girl is going to marry this friend of yours, and as he has a sufficient income to support a wife, I think that my sister-in-law has good reason to be satisfied by the match.  She will not be expected to give up any part of her small income, as she must have done had Lily married a poor man.”

“I suppose she could hardly give up much.”

“People must be guided by circumstances.  I am not disposed to put myself in the place of a parent to them both.  There is no reason why I should, and I will not encourage false hopes.  If I knew that this matter between you and Bell was arranged, I should have reason to feel satisfied with what I was doing.”  From all which Bernard began to perceive that poor Crosbie’s expectations in the matter of money would not probably receive much gratification.  But he also perceived—­or thought that he perceived—­a kind of threat in this warning from his uncle.  “I have promised you eight hundred a year with your wife,” the warning seemed to say.  “But if you do not at once accept it, or let me feel that it will be accepted, it may be well for me to change my mind—­especially as this other niece is about to be married.  If I am to give you so large a fortune with Bell, I need do nothing for Lily.  But if you do not choose to take Bell and the fortune, why then—­” And so on.  It was thus that Bernard read his uncle’s caution, as they walked together on the broad gravel path.

“I have no desire to postpone the matter any longer,” said Bernard.  “I will propose to Bell at once, if you wish it.”

“If your mind be quite made up, I cannot see why you should delay it.”

And then, having thus arranged that matter, they received their future relative with kind smiles and soft words.

CHAPTER VII

The Beginning of Troubles

Lily, as she parted with her lover in the garden, had required of him to attend upon her the next morning as he went to his shooting, and in obedience to this command he appeared on Mrs Dale’s lawn after breakfast, accompanied by Bernard and two dogs.  The men had guns in their hands, and were got up with all proper sporting appurtenances, but it so turned out that they did not reach the stubble-fields on the farther side of the road until after luncheon.  And may it not be fairly doubted whether croquet is not as good as shooting when a man is in love?