"Well, Mary, I soon sent you a candidate; though it was in defiance of your express orders. Did I do right?"
Mary burst into tears, and Mr. Ashley drew her face to him. "May God bless your future and his, my child!"
"I am afraid to tell mamma," she sobbed. "I think she will be angry. I could not help liking him."
"Why, that is the very excuse he made to me! Neither can I help liking him, Mary. I will tell mamma."
Mrs. Ashley received the tidings not altogether with equanimity. As Mr. Ashley had surmised, she was divided between conflicting opinions. She liked and admired William; but she equally liked and admired a title and fortune.
"Such a position to relinquish—the union with Sir Harry!"
"Had she married Sir Harry we should have lost her," said Mr. Ashley.
"Lost her!"
"To be sure we should. She would have gone to her new home, twelve miles on the other side of Helstonleigh, amidst her new connections, and have been lost to us, excepting for a formal visit now and then. As it is, we shall keep her; at her old home."
"Yes, there's a great deal to be said on both sides," acknowledged Mrs. Ashley. "What does Henry say?"