You don't object to that ?' 'Unless there is some other way of preserving the child,' replied Mrs.
Maylie.
'There is no other,' said the doctor.

'No other, take my word for it.' 'Then my aunt invests you with full power,' said Rose, smiling through her tears; 'but pray don't be harder upon the poor fellows than is indispensably necessary.' 'You seem to think,' retorted the doctor, 'that everybody is disposed to be hard-hearted to-day, except yourself, Miss Rose.

I only hope, for the sake of the rising male sex generally, that you may be found in as vulnerable and soft-hearted a mood by the first eligible young fellow who appeals to your compassion; and I wish I were a young fellow, that I might avail myself, on the spot, of such a favourable opportunity for doing so, as the present.' 'You are as great a boy as poor Brittles himself,' returned Rose, blushing.
'Well,' said the doctor, laughing heartily, 'that is no very difficult matter.

But to return to this boy.

The great point of our agreement is yet to come.