No relation, in fact, left for the squire to make inquiries about but the father's sister--who had behaved, as old Gatliffe said, like a thorough-bred gentlewoman in shutting the door against Mr.Frank in the first instance.

So, to cut the matter short, things were at last made up pleasant enough.

The time was fixed for the wedding, and an announcement about it--Marriage in High Life and all that--put into the county paper.

There was a regular biography, besides, of the governess's father, so as to stop people from talking--a great flourish about his pedigree, and a long account of his services in the army; but not a word, mind ye, of his having turned wine-merchant afterward.

Oh, no--not a word about that! I knew it, though, for Mr.Frank told me.