But,"-- and she pushed the letter towards him, with a gesture which seemed to say, "I am not responsible for the consequences." The squire after a moment's thought accepted them.

He went into the yard, humming a strain of "The Bay of Biscay," and gave the letter to a groom, with orders to take it at once to the post-office.

Then he called Charlotte from the rose-walk.

"The horses are saddled," he said, "and I want you to trot over to Dalton with me." Mrs.Sandal had gone to her eldest daughter.

She was in the habit of seeking Sophia's advice; or, more strictly speaking, she liked to discuss with her the things she had already determined to do.