I trust, for the girl's sake, that it will make no difference to her.

I can hardly believe that she has been to blame in the matter." Crosbie hastened at once to exculpate Lily; and then, with more awkward blunders than a man should have made who was so well acquainted with fashionable life as the Apollo of the Beaufort, he proceeded to explain that, as Lily was to have nothing, his own pecuniary arrangements would necessitate some little delay in their marriage.
"As far as I myself am concerned," said the squire, "I do not like long engagements.

But I am quite aware that in this matter I have no right to interfere, unless, indeed--" and then he stopped himself.
"I suppose it will be well to fix some day; eh, Crosbie ?" said Bernard.
"I will discuss that matter with Mrs Dale," said Crosbie.
"If you and she understand each other," said the squire, "that will be sufficient.

Shall we go into the drawing-room now, or out upon the lawn ?" That evening, as Crosbie went to bed, he felt that he had not gained the victory in his encounter with the squire..