“I have always regarded Alfred as a barely sane person,” said his Lordship, “since he turned his back on his prospects to become a horse dealer.  If we decline altogether to sanction this new act—­I won’t say, of insanity, I will say, of absurdity—­on his part, it is impossible to predict to what discreditable extremities he may not proceed.  We must temporise with Alfred.  In the meantime I shall endeavor to obtain some information respecting this young person—­named Miller, I think you said, and now resident at South Morden.  If I am satisfied that she is a woman of reputable character, possessing an average education and presentable manners, we may as well let Alfred take his own way.  He is out of the pale of Society, as it is; and Miss Miller has no father and mother to complicate matters, which is distinctly a merit on her part and, in short, if the marriage is not absolutely disgraceful, the wisest way (as we have no power to prevent it) will be to submit.  You will say nothing to Alfred about what I propose to do.  I tell you plainly I don’t trust him.  You will simply inform him from me that I want time to consider, and that, unless he hears to the contrary in the interval, he may expect to have the sanction of your presence at his breakfast, or luncheon, or whatever it is.  I must go to town in a day or two, and I shall ascertain what Alfred’s friends know about this last of his many follies, if I meet any of them at the club.”

Returning to South Morden in no serene frame of mind, Hardyman found Isabel in a state of depression which perplexed and alarmed him.

The news that his mother might be expected to be present at the garden party failed entirely to raise her spirits.  The only explanation she gave of the change in her was, that the dull heavy weather of the last few days made her feel a little languid and nervous.  Naturally dissatisfied with this reply to his inquiries, Hardyman asked for Miss Pink.  He was informed that Miss Pink could not see him.  She was constitutionally subject to asthma, and, having warnings of the return of the malady, she was (by the doctor’s advice) keeping her room.  Hardyman returned to the farm in a temper which was felt by everybody in his employment, from the trainer to the stable-boys.

While the apology made for Miss Pink stated no more than the plain truth, it must be confessed that Hardyman was right in declining to be satisfied with Isabel’s excuse for the melancholy that oppressed her.  She had that morning received Moody’s answer to the lines which she had addressed to him at the end of her aunt’s letter; and she had not yet recovered from the effect which it had produced on her spirits.