On that afternoon he rode into Brotherton to tell the tidings to the Dean. Upon whatever they might among them decide, it was expedient that the Dean should be at once told of the marriage. Lord George, as he thought over it all on horseback, found difficulties on every side. He had promised that his wife should live in town, and he could not go back from that promise without injustice. He understood the nature of her lately offered sacrifice, and felt that it would not liberate his conscience. And then he was sure that the Dean would be loud against any such arrangement. The money no doubt was Mary's own money and, subject to certain settlement, was at Lord George's immediate disposal; but he would be unable to endure the Dean's reproaches. He would be unable also to endure his own, unless--which was so very improbable--the Dean should encourage him. But how were things to be arranged? Was he to desert his mother and sisters in their difficulty? He was very fond of his wife; but it had never yet occurred to him that the daughter of Dean Lovelace could be as important to him as all the ladies of the house of Germain. His brother purposed to bring his wife to Manor Cross in May, when he would be up in London. Where at that moment, and after what fashion, would his mother and sisters be living? The Dean showed his dismay at the marriage plainly enough. "That's very bad, George," he said; "very bad indeed!" "Of course we don't like her being a foreigner." "Of course you don't like his marrying at all. Why should you? You all know enough of him to be sure that he wouldn't marry the sort of woman you would approve." "I don't know why my brother should not have married any lady in England." "At any rate he hasn't. He has married some Italian widow, and it's a misfortune. Poor Mary!" "I don't think Mary feels it at all." "She will some day. Girls of her age don't feel that kind of thing at first. So he is going to come over at once. What will your mother do?" "She has Cross Hall." "That man Price is there. He will go out of course?" "With notice he must go." "He won't stand about that, if you don't interfere with his land and farm-yard. I know Price. He's not a bad fellow." "But Brotherton does not want them to go there," said Lord George, almost in a whisper. "Does not want your mother to live in her own house! Upon my word the Marquis is considerate to you all! He has said that plainly, has he? If I were Lady Brotherton I would not take the slightest heed of what he says. She is not dependent on him. In order that he may be relieved from the bore of being civil to his own family she is to be sent out about the world to look for a home in her old age! You must tell her not to listen for a minute to such a proposition."