"It's a good thing your feelings are righter and kinder than most folks', Jo Weatherhead, for you're sadly led by 'em, my friend. If you'd wait and hear the whole case, you might help me with your advice." Then Mrs. Dobbs pulled another letter from her pocket, and handed it to her brother-in-law. This second epistle was from Mrs. Dormer-Smith, and ran thus:-- "DEAR MRS. DOBBS, "I think it right to let you know how very important it is for May not to miss her visit to Glengowrie. There will be among the guests there a gentleman who has been paying her a good deal of attention--a man of princely fortune. I have some reason to think that May is disposed to look favourably on this gentleman; but he must be allowed time and opportunity to declare himself. No better opportunity could possibly be found than at Glengowrie; and I may tell you, _in confidence_, that the duchess has, at my friend Mrs. Griffin's request, invited them both _on purpose_. I trust, therefore, that, in my niece's interests, you will induce her not to relinquish this chance. As to her writing to her father, it is absurd, and would only irritate my brother after his giving me _carte blanche_ to do the best I can for her. If the visit to Glengowrie turns out as we hope, I shall have procured for her a settlement which many a peer's daughter will envy. My husband and I have such confidence in your good sense, that we are sure you will second our efforts as far as you can. Of course you will consider this letter _strictly private_, and will not, above all, mention it to May. "I am, dear Mrs. Dobbs, "Yours very truly, "P. DORMER-SMITH." "You see that alters the case, Jo," said Mrs. Dobbs, when he had finished reading the letter. Jo nodded thoughtfully, and rubbed his nose. "Of course, what you want, Sarah, is for the child to be happy. That's the main thing," said he. "Of course I want her to be happy. And I want her to have her rights," answered Mrs. Dobbs, setting her lips firmly. "Ah! Yes, to be sure! Her rights, eh?" "My son-in-law brought no good to any of us in himself. If his name can do any good to his daughter, she ought to have the benefit of it--and she shall." "Ay, ay. Her rights, eh? To be sure. Only--only it ain't always quite easy to know what a person's rights are, is it?" "I know well enough what May's rights are," answered Mrs. Dobbs sharply. "Nor yet it ain't quite easy to be sure whether they'd enjoy their rights when they got 'em," pursued Jo, with a thoughtful air. "Everybody likes to be happy. There can be no manner of doubt about _that_. And somehow the dukes and duchesses don't seem to be enough to make Miranda quite--not _quite_ happy, humph?" "I wonder you should confess so much of your dear aristocracy!" returned Mrs. Dobbs with some heat.