Mr.
Vigors was loth to press hard on his old friend's widow and child.

It was a thousand pities Mrs Ashleigh could not make up her mind; she had had ample time for preparation.

A word from me at this moment would be an effective kindness.

Abbots' House was vacant, with a garden so extensive that the ladies would not miss the country.

Another party was after it, but--'Say no more,' I cried; 'no party but my dear old friend Anne Ashleigh shall have Abbots' House.