’What care I?  I’ve lived and thriven under Bayford scorn many a day.  And for her—­Oh!  I defy anything so base to wound a heart so high as hers, and with me to protect her!’

‘And you can afford it?’ said Mr. Kendal.  ’Remember she has her aunt to maintain.’

‘I can,’ said Ulick.  ’I have gone over it all again and again; and recalling his man-of-business nature, he demonstrated that even at present he was well able to support Mdlle.  Belmarche, as well as to begin housekeeping, and that there was every reason to believe that his wider and more intelligent system of management would continue to increase his income.’

‘Well, Ulick,’ said Mr. Kendal at last, ’I wish you success with all my heart, and esteem you for a choice so entirely founded upon the qualities most certain to ensure happiness.’

’You don’t mean to say that she has not the most glorious eyes, the most enchanting figure!’ exclaimed Ulick, affronted at the compliment that seemed to aver that Genevieve’s external charms were not equal to her sterling merit.

Mr. Kendal and Albinia laughed; and the former excused himself, not quite to the lover’s satisfaction, by declaring the lady much more attractive than many regularly handsome people; but he added, that what he meant was, that he was sure the attachment was built upon a sound foundation.  Then he entreated that Mrs. Kendal would persuade her to listen to him, for she had fled from him ever since his betrayal of his sentiments till he was half crazed, and had been walking up and down his room all night.  He should do something distracted, if not relieved from suspense before night!  And Mr. Kendal got rid of him in the midst of his transports, and turning to Albinia said, ’We must settle this as fast as possible, or he will lose his head, and get into a scrape.’

‘I do not like such wild behaviour.  It is not dignified.’

‘It is only temperament,’ said Mr. Kendal.  ‘Will you speak to her?’

‘Yes, whenever she comes in.’

’I suspect she has gone out on purpose.  Could you not go to find her at the school, or wherever she is likely to be?’

’I don’t know where to find her.  I cannot give up the children’s lessons.  Nothing hurts Maurice so much as irregularity.’

He made no answer, but his look of disappointment excited her to observe to herself that she supposed he expected her to run all over the town without ordering dinner first, and she wondered how he would like that!

Presently she heard him go out at the front door, and felt some contrition.

She had not the heart to seek Sophy to report progress, and did not see her till about eleven o’clock, when she came in hastily with her bonnet on, asking, ‘Well, mamma?’

‘Where have you been, Sophy?’

‘To school,’ she said.  ‘Has anything happened?’

‘We have had it out, and I am to speak to her when she comes in,’ said Albinia, glad as perhaps was Sophy of the enigmatical form to which Maurice’s presence restrained the communication.