I could say nothing more, but I thought--in truth I knew--that it did not lie within the power of any man in or out of England to dispose of Dorothy Vernon's hand in marriage to Lord James Stanley.

Her father might make a murderess out of her, but Countess of Derby, never.
Sir George continued, "The general terms of the marriage contract have been agreed upon by the earl and me, and the lawyers will do the rest." "What is your feeling in the matter ?" I asked aimlessly.
"My feeling ?" cried Sir George.

"Why, sir, my feeling is that the girl shall marry Stanley just as soon as arrangements can be made for the wedding ceremony.

The young fellow, it seems, saw Doll at Derby-town the day you came home, and since then he is eager, his father tells me, for the union.

He is coming to see her when I give my permission, and I will send him word at as early a date as propriety will admit.