She was determined, however, to come to the point, and after considering for a while how best she might do it, she ceased to beat any longer about the bush, and asked him a plain question.
"The Thornes are as good a family as the Greshams, are they not ?" "In absolute genealogy they are, my dear.

That is, when I choose to be an old fool and talk of such matters in a sense different from that in which they are spoken of by the world at large, I may say that the Thornes are as good, or perhaps better, than the Greshams, but I should be sorry to say so seriously to any one.

The Greshams now stand much higher in the county than the Thornes do." "But they are of the same class." "Yes, yes; Wilfred Thorne of Ullathorne, and our friend the squire here, are of the same class." "But, uncle, I and Augusta Gresham--are we of the same class ?" "Well, Minnie, you would hardly have me boast that I am the same class with the squire--I, a poor country doctor ?" "You are not answering me fairly, dear uncle; dearest uncle, do you not know that you are not answering me fairly?
You know what I mean.
Have I a right to call the Thornes of Ullathorne my cousins ?" "Mary, Mary, Mary!" said he after a minute's pause, still allowing his arm to hang loose, that she might hold it with both her hands.
"Mary, Mary, Mary! I would that you had spared me this!" "I could not have spared it to you for ever, uncle." "I would that you could have done so; I would that you could!" "It is over now, uncle: it is told now.

I will grieve you no more.
Dear, dear, dearest! I should love you more than ever now; I would, I would, I would if that were possible.

What should I be but for you?
What must I have been but for you ?" And she threw herself on his breast, and clinging with her arms round his neck, kissed his forehead, cheeks, and lips.
There was nothing more said then on the subject between them.