‘I do not believe much,’ said she; ’but I certainly did think that that might be credited.’

Mr Moffat went on to show how it behoved them both, in holding out their hands half-way to meet the aristocratic overtures that were made to them, not to allow themselves to be made use of.  The aristocracy, according to Mr Moffat, were people of a very nice sort; the best acquaintance in the world; a portion of mankind to be noticed by whom should be one of the first objects in the life of the Dunstables and the Moffats.  But the Dunstables and Moffats should be very careful to give little or nothing in return.  Much, very much in return, would be looked for.  The aristocracy, said Mr Moffat, were not a people to allow in the light of their countenance to shine forth without looking for a quid pro quo, for some compensating value.  In all their intercourse with the Dunstables and Moffats, they would expect a payment.  It was for the Dunstables and Moffats to see that, at any rate, they did not pay more for the article they got than its market value.

They way in which she, Miss Dunstable, and he, Mr Moffat, would be required to pay would be by taking each of them some poor scion of the aristocracy in marriage; and thus expending their hard-earned wealth in procuring high-priced pleasures for some well-born pauper.  Against this, peculiar caution was to be used.  Of course, the further induction to be shown was this:  that people so circumstanced should marry among themselves; the Dunstables and the Moffats each with the other and not tumble into the pitfalls prepared for them.

Whether these great lessons had any lasting effect on Miss Dunstable’s mind may be doubted.  Perhaps she had already made up her mind on the subject which Mr Moffat so well discussed.  She was older than Mr Moffat, and, in spite of his two years of parliamentary experience, had perhaps more knowledge of the world with which she had to deal.  But she listened to what he said with complacency; understood his object as well as she had that of his aristocratic rival; was no whit offended; but groaned in her spirit as she thought of the wrongs of Augusta Gresham.

But all this good advice, however, would not win the money for Mr Moffat without some more decided step; and that step he soon decided on taking, feeling assured that what he had said would have its due weight with the heiress.

The party at Courcy Castle was now soon about to be broken up.  The male De Courcys were going down to a Scotch mountain.  The female De Courcys were to be shipped off to an Irish castle.  Mr Moffat was to go up to town to prepare his petition.  Miss Dunstable was again about to start on a foreign tour in behalf of her physician and attendants; and Frank Gresham was at last to be allowed to go to Cambridge; that is to say, unless his success with Miss Dunstable should render such a step on his part quite preposterous.

‘I think you may speak now, Frank,’ said the countess.  ’I really think you may:  you have known her now for a considerable time; and, as far as I can judge, she is very fond of you.’