'Yes, but I could not get away earlier. And I have so much to say to you and your mother, Annaple; there's a great proposition to be considered.' 'Oh dear! and here is John bearing down upon us. Never mind. We'll get into the mither's room and be cosy!' 'Well, Mark,' said Sir John's hearty voice, 'I thought you would be here. Come to luncheon? That's right! And how is poor Egremont? I thought he looked awful at the funeral.' 'He is fairly well, thank you; but it was a terrible shock.' 'I should think so. To find such a pretty sweet creature just to lose her again. Child likely to live, eh?' 'Oh yes, he is a fine fellow, and has never had anything amiss with him.' 'Poor little chap! Doesn't know what he has lost! Well, Nannie,' as they neared the house, 'do you want a tete-a-tete or to take him in to your mother? Here, I'll take the horse.' 'Come to her at once,' said Annaple; 'she wants to hear all, and besides she is expecting me.' Mark was welcomed by Lady Ronnisglen with inquiries for all concerned, and especially for that 'poor girl. I do pity a young thing who has to take a woman's place too soon,' she said. 'It takes too much out of her!' 'I should think Ursula had plenty of spirit,' said Annaple. 'I don't know whether spirit is what is wanted,' said Mark. 'Her mother prevailed more without it than I am afraid she is likely to do with it.' 'Complements answer better than parallels sometimes, but not always,' said Lady Ronnisglen. 'Which are we?' asked Annaple demurely. 'Not parallels certainly, for then we should never meet,' responded Mark. 'But here is the proposal. My father and all the rest of us have been doing our best to get my uncle to smooth Ursula's way by getting rid of that valet of his.' 'The man with the Mephistopheles face?' 'Exactly. He is a consummate scoundrel, as we all know, and so does my uncle himself, but he has been about him these twelve or fourteen years, and has got a sort of hold on him--that--that-- It is no use to talk of it, but it did not make that dear aunt of mine have an easier life. In fact I should not be a bit surprised if he had been a hindrance in the hunting her up. Well, the fellow thought proper to upset some arrangements my mother had made, and then was more insolent than I should have thought even he could have been towards her. I suppose he had got into the habit with poor Aunt Alice. That made a fulcrum, and my father went at my uncle with a will. I never saw my father so roused in my life. I don't mean by the behaviour to his wife, but at what he knew of the fellow, and all the harm he had done and is doing. And actually my uncle gave in at last, and consented to tell Gregorio to look out for another situation, if he has not feathered his nest too well to need one, as I believe he has.' 'Oh, that will make it much easier for Ursula!' cried Annaple. 'If he goes,' put in her mother.