The answer excited a peal of laughter, which made Louis stand aghast, both at such unprecedented merriment and at the cause; for hitherto he had so entirely felt with Mary, as never to have seen the ludicrous aspect of the elopement. Presently, however, he was amused by perceiving that his father not merely regarded it as a relief from an embarrassing charge, but as an entire acquittal for his own conscience for any slanders he had formerly believed of Dona Rosita. Louis briefly explained that, the poor lady being provided for by Robson's investments in America, he had thought it right that the Ponsonby share of the firm should bear the loss through these embezzlements; and he had found that her extravagance had made such inroads on the property, that while the Dynevor share (always the largest) resulted in a fair competence, Louis had saved nothing out of the wreck of the Ponsonby affairs but Mary herself. 'Can you excuse it, father?' he said, with all the old debonnaire manner. 'You will never be a rich man, Louis. You and she will have some cares, but--' and his voice grew thick--'you are rich in what makes life happy. You have left me nothing more to ask or wish for!' 'Except that I may be worthy of her, father. You first taught me how she ought to be loved. You have been very patient with me all this time. I feel as if I must thank you for her--' and then, changing his tone as she opened the door--'Look at her now she has her bonnet off--does not she look natural?' 'I am sure I feel so,' said Mary. 'You know this always seemed more like home than anything else.' 'Yes, and now I do feel sure that I have you at last, Mary. That Moorish castle of yours used to make me afraid of wakening: it was so much fitter for Isabel's fantastic Viscount. By-the-bye, has she brought that book out?' 'Oh, yes, and James is nearly as proud of it as he is of his son. He actually wanted me to read it! He tells me it is selling very well, and I hope it may really bring them in something.' 'Now, then--there's the tea. Sit down, Mary, and look exactly as you did the morning I came home and found you.' 'I'm afraid I cannot,' said Mary, looking up in his face with an arch, deprecating expression. 'Why not?' 'Don't you know that I am so much happier?' Before breakfast next morning Fitzjocelyn must visit his farm, and Mary must come with him.