"I can. A little open-carriage and pony--if you would like to go as far as that. Mary will want it badly. The old pony-carriage used by Mrs. Cleveland all her married life to get about the straggling parish in, is the most worn, ramshackle thing now you ever saw; it will hardly hold together. And the poor pony is on its last legs." "They shall have a new one. Thank you for telling me," added Mr. Grubb, with a sunny smile. "And I dare say you wonder why I can't give them this thing myself," resumed Miss Upton; "but the truth is--don't laugh--I am refurnishing the house, and I don't like to do too much. It would look ostentatious, patronizing, and Cleveland would feel it so in his heart. I had a rare battle with him about the furniture, when I told him what I meant to do; I had already, in fact, given orders for it. 'You cannot bring Lady Mary home to that shabby dining and drawing-room of yours,' I said to him yesterday. 'I fear I can't afford to have them renewed,' he answered me, his face taking a long look. 'Of course you can't,' I said, 'whoever heard of a parson who could; I mean to do it myself.' Well, then we had a fight. Mary had seen the walls and the rooms and knew what they were, he maintained. Upon which I cut short the argument by saying the orders were already given, and the workmen ready to go in. I had seen for a month or two past, you must understand, Francis, how matters were going between him and Mary Chenevix." Miss Upton broke off with a short laugh. "The idea of my calling you Francis!" she exclaimed. "Will you forgive me?" "_Forgive_ you! Dear Miss Upton, if you only know how pleasant to me the name sounds from your lips!" "When I think of you it is generally as _Francis_ Grubb, and so it escaped me. Well, then, you will give them this new pony and carriage?" "I will. And thank you sincerely for suggesting it." "Does Adela make you a good wife yet?" cried Miss Upton, fixing her keen eyes upon him. And Francis Grubb, at the abrupt query, grew red to the very roots of his waving hair. "Is she becoming affectionate to you, as a gracious wife should be?" pursued Miss Margery, for he did not answer. "I do not complain of my wife; please understand that, Miss Upton." "Quite right of you not to. But I believe I understand rather more than appears on the surface; have understood for some time past. I gave her a lecture when I was last here. I did, indeed; though you may not suppose it." He smiled. A poor smile at best. Margery Upton leaned forward and put her hand upon his hand, that lay on his knee. "There is only one thing for it--patience. Bear quietly. Adela used to be a sweet girl! I think she has a good heart, and what evil spirit has taken possession of her I cannot conceive. I think things will work round in time, even as you could desire them." "Ay!" "And, for the present, I say, keep up a good heart--and bear. It is my best advice to you."