Lady Mary did not say it, but with her whole soul she meant it.
What she intended to do, she, as a rule, performed--occasionally at the expense of those who were little able to afford it, but still the thing was (always, of course, by the co-operation of Providence) done.

Ralph certainly had proved an exception to the rule.

He had married Evelyn against Lady Mary's will, and consequently without the blessing of Providence.

After that, of course, she had never expected there would be a son, and with each year her anxiety to see Charles safely married had increased.

He had seemed so amenable that at first she could hardly believe that the steed which she had led to waters of such divers merit would refuse to drink from any of them.