You have no objection to his
coming, papa?'
There had been objections raised to any intimacy with Frank
Tregear, but all that was now nearly two years since. He had been
assured over and over again by Miss Cassewary that he need not be
afraid of Frank Tregear, and had in a sort of way assented to the
young man's visits. 'I think he might find something better to do
with his time than hanging about here all day.' Frank, shrugging
his shoulders, and having shaken hands with both the daughter and
father, took his hat and departed. 'Who is the girl?' asked the
Earl.
'You heard him say that I was not to tell.'
'Has she got money?'
'I believe she will have a great deal.'
'Then she is a great fool for her pains,' said the Earl, shambling
off again.
Lady Mabel spent the greater part of the afternoon alone,
endeavouring to recall to her mind all that she had said to Frank
Tregear, and questioning herself as to the wisdom and truth of her
own words. She had intended to tell the truth,--but hardly perhaps
the whole truth. The life which was before her,--which it was
necessary that she should lead,--seemed to her to be so difficult!
She could not clearly see her way to be pure and good and
feminine, and at the same time wise.
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