thus she brought forth her tidings, as it were at a gasp, speaking at the moment with a voice that was almost indicative of anger.
'And why not?' said he, releasing her from his arm and looking at her.
'It cannot be,' she said.
'And why not, Lady Mason?'
'It cannot be,' she said again, speaking with more emphasis, and with a stronger tone.
'And is that all that you intend to tell me? Have I done anything that has offended you?'
'Offended me! No. I do not think that would be possible. The offence is on the other side———'
'Then, my dear,———'
'But listen to me now. It cannot be. I know that it is wrong. Everything tells me that such a marriage on your part would be a sacrifice,—a terrible sacrifice. You would be throwing away your great rank———'
'No,' shouted Sir Peregrine; 'not though I married a kitchen-maid,—instead of a lady who in social life is my equal.'
'Ah, no; I should not have said rank. You cannot lose that;—but your station in the world, the respect of all around you, the—the—the———'
'Who has been telling you all this?'
'I have wanted no one to tell me. Thinking of it has told it me all. My own heart which is full of gratitude and love for you has told me.'
'You have not seen Lord Alston?'
'Lord Alston! oh, no.'
'Has Peregrine been speaking to you?'
'Peregrine!'
'Yes; Peregrine; my grandson?'
'He has spoken to me.'
'Telling you to say this to me. Then he is an ungrateful boy;—a very ungrateful boy. I would have done anything to guard him from wrong in this matter.'
'Ah; now I see the evil that I have done. Why did I ever come into the house to make quarrels between you?'
'There shall be no quarrel. I will forgive him even that if you will be guided by me. And, dearest Mary, you must be guided by me now. This matter has gone too far for you to go back—unless, indeed, you will say that personally you have an aversion to the marriage.'
'Oh, no; no; it is not that,' she said eagerly. She could not help saying it with eagerness. She could not inflict the wound on his feelings which her silence would then have given.
