'Then, dearest, you will, as before, consent to a private marriage?'
'If Mary will give me permission,' replied Ellinor, slowly and with hesitation.
'Mary—is she your keeper?'
'She is my dear and only sister.'
'But—but will she accord her permission?'
'I can only hope so.'
'If not?'
'Then we can but wait.'
'My uncle's death, for he will never consent.'
'It is a sad event to look forward to.'