in suspense long enough. As for her, I am sure she must be suffering frightfully. You know her best, and, therefore, I ask you what answer I ought to make: as for myself, I have made up my own mind; I am not a child, nor will I let them treat me as such.'
Frank, as he spoke, was walking rapidly about the room; and he brought out his different propositions, one after the other, with a little pause, while waiting for the doctor's answer. The doctor was sitting, with the letter still in his hands, on the head of the sofa, turning over in his mind the apparent absurdity of Frank's desire to borrow two thousand pounds for a farm, when, in all human probability, he might in a few months be in possession of almost any sum he should choose to name. And yet he would not tell him of Sir Roger's will. 'If it should turn out to be all wrong?' said he to himself.
'Do you wish me to give her up?' said Frank, at last.
'No. How can I wish it? How can I expect a better match for her? Besides, Frank, I love no man in the world so well as I do you.'
'Then you will help me?'
'What! against your father?'
'Against! no, not against anybody. But will you tell Mary that she has your consent?'
'I think she knows that.'
'But you have never said anything to her.'
'Look here, Frank; you ask me for my advice, and I will give it you: go home; though, indeed, I would rather you went anywhere else.'
'No, I must go home; and I must see her.'
'Very well, go home: as for seeing Mary, I think you had better put it off for a fortnight.'
'Quite impossible.'
'Well, that's my advice. But, at any rate, make up your mind to nothing for a fortnight. Wait for one fortnight, and I then will tell you plainly—you and her too—what I think you ought to do. At the end of a fortnight come to me, and tell the squire that I will take it as a great kindness if he will come with you. She has suffered, terribly, terribly; and it is necessary that something should be settled. But a fortnight more can make no great difference.'
'And the letter?'
'Oh! there's the letter.'
'But what shall I say? Of course I shall write to-night.'
'Tell her to wait a fortnight. And, Frank, mind you bring your father with you.'
