You shall decide for me, indeed you shall.' The mother's heart was wrung.

For a moment she strove to speak the very truth, to utter a word about that love which Adela was resolutely excluding.

But the temptation to accept this unhoped surrender proved too strong.

She sobbed her answer.
'Yes, I do wish it, Adela.

You will find that I--that I was not wrong.' 'Then if he asks me, I will marry him.' As those words were spoken Mutimer issued from the Manor gates, uncertain whether to go his usual way down to the works or to pay a visit to Mrs.Waltham.The latter purpose prevailed.
The evening before, Mr.Willis Rodman had called at the Manor shortly after dinner.