Daniel Thwaite had not been made to like a lord, but the eloquence of the urbane lawyer was not wasted on him. Thinking of it all as he wandered alone through the streets, he began to believe that it would be more manly to do as he was advised than to abstain because the doing of the thing would in itself be disagreeable to him. On the following day, Lady Anna was with him as usual; for the pretext of his wound still afforded to her the means of paying to him those daily visits which in happier circumstances he would naturally have paid to her. "Would you like to go to Yoxham?" he said. She looked wistfully up into his face. With her there was a real wish that the poles might be joined together by her future husband. She had found, as she had thought of it, that she could not make herself either happy or contented except by marrying him, but it had not been without regret that she had consented to destroy altogether the link which bound her to the noble blood of the Lovels. She had been made to appreciate the sweet flavour of aristocratic influences, and now that the Lovels were willing to receive her in spite of her marriage, she was more than willing to accept their offered friendship. "If you really wish it, you shall go," he said. "But you must go also." "Yes;--for one day. And I must have a pair of gloves and a black coat." "And a blue one,--to be married in." "Alas me! Must I have a pink silk gown to walk about in, early in the morning?" "You shall if you like, and I'll make it for you." "I'd sooner see you darning my worsted stockings, sweetheart." "I can do that too." "And I shall have to go to church in a coach, and come back in another, and all the people will smell sweet, and make eyes at me behind my back, and wonder among themselves how the tailor will behave himself." "The tailor must behave himself properly," said Lady Anna. "That's just what he won't do,--and can't do. I know you'll be ashamed of me, and then we shall both be unhappy." "I won't be ashamed of you. I will never be ashamed of you. I will be ashamed of them if they are not good to you. But, Daniel, you shall not go if you do not like it. What does it all signify, if you are not happy?" "I will go," said he. "And now I'll sit down and write a letter to my lord." Two letters were written accepting the invitation. As that from the tailor to the lord was short and characteristic it shall be given. MY DEAR LORD, I am much obliged to you for your lordship's invitation to Yoxham, and if accepting it will make me a good fellow, I will accept it. I fear, however, that I can never be a proper fellow to your lordship. Not the less do I feel your courtesy, and I am, With all sincerity, Your lordship's very obedient servant, DANIEL THWAITE.