The result of that visit was a letter to his father in which he announced his engagement to Beryl.

The Squire could make then no open opposition, since he was still on friendly terms with Sir Henry, who had indeed done him more than one good turn.

But in reply to his son's letter, he stood entirely on the defensive, lest any claim should be made upon him which might further interfere with the passion of his life.

He was not, he said, in a position to increase Aubrey's allowance--the Government robbers had seen to that--and unless Beryl was prepared to be a poor man's wife he advised them to wait till after the war.

Then Sir Henry had ridden over to Mannering with a statement of what he was prepared to do for his daughter, and the Squire had given ungracious consent to a marriage in the spring.