"It can't have been much, because Mary owns that they will be very poor. Here is her letter. I am so unhappy about it. Don't you remember hearing about that Colonel Marrable who was in a horrible scrape about somebody's wife?"
"You shouldn't judge the son from the father."
"They've been in the army together, and they're both alike. I hate the army. They are almost always no better than they should be."
"That's true, my dear, certainly of all services, unless it be the army of martyrs; and there may be a doubt on the subject even as to them. May I read it?"
"Oh, yes; she has been half ashamed of herself every word she has written. I know her so well. To think that Mary Lowther should have engaged herself to any man after two days' acquaintance!"
Mr. Fenwick read the letter through attentively, and then handed it back.
"It's a good letter," he said.
"You mean that it's well written?"
"I mean that it's true. There are no touches put in to make effect. She does love the one man, and she doesn't love the other. All I can say is, that I'm very sorry for it. It will drive Gilmore out of the place."
"Do you mean it?"