‘You will be one now, Mary; of course you will.’

‘If Lady Arabella will let me come.’

’Oh, Mary; let you!  Do you remember what you said once about coming, and being near me?  I have so often thought of it.  And now, Mary, I must tell you about Caleb;’ and the young lady settled herself on the sofa, so as to have a comfortable long talk.  Beatrice had been quite right.  Mary was as meek with her, and as mild as a dove.

And then Patience Oriel came.  ’My fine, young darling, magnificent, overgrown heiress,’ said Patience, embracing her.  ’My breath deserted me, and I was nearly stunned when I heard of it.  How small we shall all be, my dear!  I am quite prepared to toady to you immensely; but pray be a little gracious to me, for the sake of auld lang syne.’

Mary gave a long, long kiss.  ’Yes, for auld lang syne, Patience; when you took me away under your wing to Richmond.’  Patience also had loved her when she was in trouble, and that love, too, should never be forgotten.

But the great difficulty was Lady Arabella’s first meeting with her.  ’I think I’ll go down to her after breakfast,’ said her ladyship to Beatrice, as the two were talking over the matter while the mother was finishing her toilet.

‘I am sure she will come up if you like it, mamma.’

’She is entitled to every courtesy—­as Frank’s accepted bride, you know,’ said Lady Arabella.  ’I would not for worlds fail in any respect to her for his sake.’

‘He will be glad enough for her to come, I am sure,’ said Beatrice.  ’I was talking to Caleb this morning, and he says—­’

The matter was of importance, and Lady Arabella gave it her most mature consideration.  The manner of receiving into one’s family an heiress whose wealth is to cure all one’s difficulties, disperse all one’s troubles, give a balm to all the wounds of misfortune, must, under any circumstances, be worthy of much care.  But when that heiress has been already treated as Mary had been treated!

‘I must see her, at any rate, before I go to Courcy.’ said Lady Arabella.

‘Are you going to Courcy, mamma?’

’Oh, certainly; yes, I must see my sister-in-law now.  You don’t seem to realize the importance, my dear, of Frank’s marriage.  He will be in a great hurry about it, and, indeed, I cannot blame him.  I expect they will all come here.’

‘Who, mamma?  The De Courcys?’

’Yes, of course.  I shall be very much surprised if the earl does not come now.  And I must consult my sister-in-law as to the asking of the Duke of Omnium.’

Poor Mary!

‘And I think it will perhaps be better,’ continued Lady Arabella, ’that we should have a larger party than intended at your affair.  The countess, I’m sure, would come now.  We couldn’t put it off for ten days; could we, dear?’

‘Put it off ten days!’

‘Yes; it would be convenient.’