He accepted the character almost gratefully, though he felt that he was being led away from his purpose.

He consoled himself for this, however, by remembering that the path by which Miss Prettyman was now leading him, led to the magnificent, and to those pleasant castles in the air which he had been building as he walked into Silverbridge.

"I am quite sure that she is all that you say," he replied.

"Indeed I had made up my mind about that long ago." "And what can I do for you, Major Grantly ?" "You think I ought not to see her ?" "I will ask herself, if you please.

I have such trust in her judgment that I should leave her altogether to her own discretion." The magnificent thing must be done, and the major made up his mind accordingly.