Madam, if it would not seem forward on my part--if you could tell him the truth, and what I have for him, and where I am, in case he might wish--wish to see me--when you were writing." "Of course I will, or my father will," said Mary, who did not like to confess either to herself or to Grace, that it was very improbable that she would ever write again to Tom Thurnall.
And so the two sweet maidens, so near that moment to an explanation, which might have cleared up all, went on each in her ignorance; for so it was to be.
The next morning Grace came down to breakfast, modest, cheerful, charming.

Mark made her breakfast with them; gave her endless letters of recommendation; wanted to take her to see old Doctor Thurnall, which she declined, and then sent her to the station in his own carriage, paid her fare first-class to town, and somehow or other contrived, with Mary's help, that she should find in her bag two ten-pound notes, which she had never seen before.

After which he went out to his counting-house, only remarking to Mary-- "Very extraordinary young woman, and very handsome, too.

Will make some man a jewel of a wife, if she don't go mad, or die of the hospital fever." To which Mary fully assented.

Little she guessed, and little did her father, that it was for Grace's sake that Tom had refused her hand.
A few days more, and Grace Harvey also had gone Eastward Ho..