They were all glad that they went. Susan, the younger Miss Malory, enjoyed herself extremely. Matilda danced with the Vidame as often as her mother approved. The conduct of Mrs. Brown-Smith was correctness itself. She endeared herself to the girls: invited them to her place in Perthshire, and warmly congratulated Mrs. Malory on the event approaching in her family. The eye of maternal suspicion could detect nothing amiss. Thanks mainly to Mrs. Brown-Smith, the girls found the season an earthly Paradise: and Mrs. Malory saw much more of the world than she had ever done before. But she remained vigilant, and on the alert. Before the end of July she had even conceived the idea of inviting Mrs. Brown-Smith, fatigued by her toils, to inhale the bracing air of Upwold in the moors. But she first consulted Merton, who expressed his warm approval. 'It is dangerous, though she has been so kind,' sighed Mrs. Malory. 'I have observed nothing to justify the talk which I have heard, but I am in doubt.' 'Dangerous! it is safety,' said Merton. 'How?' Merton braced himself for the most delicate and perilous part of his enterprise. 'The Vidame de la Lain will be staying with you?' 'Naturally,' said Mrs. Malory. 'And if there _is_ any truth in what was whispered--' 'He will be subject to temptation,' said Merton. 'Mrs. Brown-Smith is so pretty and so amusing, and dear Matilda; she takes after my dear husband's family, though the best of girls, Matilda has not that flashing manner.' 'But surely no such thing as temptation should exist for a man so fortunate as de la Lain! And if it did, would his conduct not confirm what you have heard, and open the eyes of Miss Malory?' 'It seems so odd to be discussing such things with--so young a man as you--not even a relation,' sighed Mrs. Malory. 'I can withdraw at once,' said Merton. 'Oh no, please don't speak of that! I am not really at all happy yet about my daughter's future.' 'Well, suppose the worst by way of argument; suppose that you saw, that Miss Malory saw--' 'Matilda has always refused to see or to listen, and has spoken of the reforming effects of a pure affection. She would be hard, indeed, to convince that anything was wrong, but, once certain--I know Matilda's character--she would never forgive the insult, never.' 'And you would rather that she suffered some present distress?' 'Than that she was tied for life to a man who could cause it? Certainly I would.'