'I am sure of that,' said Mr. Falconer. 'So far, if I understand rightly, they have followed yours. It was your lover's indefatigable devotion that brought together suitors to them all. As to my consent, that you shall certainly have. So the next time you see Master Harry, send him to me.' 'He is here now,' said _Dorothy._ 'Then ask him to come in,' said _Mr. Falconer._ And Dorothy retired in some confusion. But her lips could not contradict her heart. Harry appeared. _Mr. Falconer._ So, Harry, you have been making love in my house, without asking my leave. _Harry Hedgerow._ I couldn't help making love, sir; and I didn't ask your leave, because I thought I shouldn't get it. _Mr. Falconer._ Candid, as usual, _Harry._ But do you think Dorothy would make a good farmer's wife? _Harry Hedgerow._ I think, sir, she is so good, and so clever, and so ready and willing to turn her hand to anything, that she would be a fit wife for anybody, from a lord downwards. But it may be most for her own happiness to keep in the class in which she was born. _Mr. Falconer._ She is not very pretty, you know. _Harry Hedgerow._ Not pretty, sir! If she isn't a beauty, I don't know who is. _Mr. Falconer._ Well, no doubt, she is a handsome girl. _Harry Hedgerow._ Handsome is not the thing, sir. She's beautiful. _Mr. Falconer._ Well, Harry, she is beautiful, if that will please you. _Harry Hedgerow._ It does please me, sir. I ought to have known you were joking when you said she was not pretty. _Mr. Falconer._ But, you know, she has no fortune. _Harry Hedgerow._ I don't want fortune. I want her, and nothing else, and nobody else. _Mr. Falconer._ But I cannot consent to her marrying without a fortune of her own. _Harry Hedgerow._ Why then, I'll give her one beforehand. Father has saved some money, and she shall have that. We'll settle it on her, as the lawyers say. _Mr. Falconer._ You are a thoroughly good fellow, Harry, and I really wish Dorothy joy of her choice; but that is not what I meant. She must bring you a fortune, not take one from you; and you must not refuse it. Harry repeated that he did not want fortune; and Mr. Falconer repeated that, so far as depended on him, he should not have Dorothy without one. It was not an arduous matter to bring to an amicable settlement. The affair of Harry and Dorothy being thus satisfactorily arranged, the other six were adjusted with little difficulty; and Mr. Falconer returned with a light heart to the Grange, where he presented himself at dinner on the twenty-seventh day of his probation. He found much the same party as before; for though some of them absented themselves for a while, they could not resist Mr. Gryll's earnest entreaties to return. He was cordially welcomed by all, and with a gracious smile from _Morgana._ CHAPTER XXXIV CHRISTMAS TALES--CLASSICAL TALES OF WONDER--THE HOST'S GHOST--A TALE OF A SHADOW--A TALE OF A BOGLE--THE LEGEND OF ST. LAURA