"But what can I do ?" said the old man.

"Young men will form these acquaintances." His fears were evidently as yet less dark than those of his wife.
"It would be very bad if we were to hear that he was married to a girl of whom we only know that she is a Roman Catholic and friendless." The Earl's brow became very black.

"I don't think that he would treat me in that way." "Not meaning it, perhaps;--but if he should become entangled and make a promise!" Then the Earl did speak to his nephew.

"Fred," he said, "I have been thinking a great deal about you.

I have little else to think of now.