There was an easiness about the family generally which enabled him to hope that the difficulty would be light.

It would be as nothing compared with that coming scene between himself and aunt Polly, perhaps between himself and his uncle Babington, or perhaps,--worse again,--between himself and Julia! When he found himself alone with Maria in the drawing-room on the following morning, he almost thought that it must have been arranged by the family.

'Doesn't it seem almost no time since you went away,' said the young lady.
'It has gone quickly;--but a great deal has been done.' 'I suppose so.

Poor Dick!' 'Yes, indeed! Poor fellow! We can only hope about Dick.

I have been speaking to your father about him.' 'Of course we all know that you did your very best for him.