“I suppose every bliss has its drawback. This, which has been a supreme joy to me, is agony to her!”
“Leave her to herself for two or three days, and you will see a difference; her own friends will be your strongest allies. They will be so proud of her rank and uplifting that no matter how she desired it, they would never suffer her to return to Foley’s Corner, and live among them as Mary of the gate.”
“Thank you, Miss Usher; you give me wonderful comfort and encouragement, and I will take your advice—do all you say: go with her to the funeral, and allow her to remain here for a time. I had hoped to carry her off to-morrow. Of course, I have a great deal to do, as your brother points out. I must immediately make a new will, and I have to prepare my friends, and——”
“Would you permit me to offer yet another piece of advice?”
“Certainly. I shall be only too glad to accept it.”
“Leave Mary here with me for, say, a fortnight, or even a month, and then return and fetch her. Yes, it may be terribly against the grain, but it will well repay you in the long run.”
“How?” and he looked at her sharply.
“You see, if you take the girl away now, a grief-stricken, reluctant captive, who has not had time to realise herself and her new position, she will fret and pine—she will receive, and give, a wrong impression.”
“But she is beautiful—you admit that?”