“Oh! how many hearts may I not have to break in piling up the fabric of my ambition!” exclaimed Charles Hatfield, his heart once more smiting him severely,--or rather with an anguish that was intolerable. “Yes--those are the considerations which lie before your lordship,” resumed Mrs. Fitzhardinge. “But you must also reflect, my lord, upon the immense interests you have at stake. Is it better to remain simple _Charles Hatfield_ all your life--or----” “You need not finish the question, madam,” said the young man, suddenly interrupting the infamous old harridan, and now speaking in a cold tone of desperate resolution. “I must persevere: my destiny is fixed--and even if hearts break in the struggle, I will not shrink from the contest that is to give me my just rights! But let us talk no more of this for the present. May I be permitted to enquire after your charming daughter----” “You have now, my lord, turned the conversation on the second subject which required discussion between us,” interrupted Mrs. Fitzhardinge. “Perdita has confessed to me all that has taken place between herself and your lordship----” “And you are doubtless offended!” exclaimed Charles Hatfield, observing that the old lady’s countenance had again become very serious. “No, my lord--I am not precisely angry,” she returned; “but I tremble to approach a topic which involves so many difficulties.” “Ah! madam--with your strong mind, all difficulties are surmountable,” said Charles “and you have only to stipulate, in order that I shall assent to every thing that you may propose.” “In the first place,” resumed the wily woman, “you are aware of the strange--fanciful--and, I must say, unfortunate notions which my daughter has imbibed relative to marriage; and your lordship must be aware that--supposing your mutual passion be allowed to take its course unrestrained--the world will regard her only as your lordship’s mistress!” “Madam--I would cheerfully conduct her to the altar----” “Whither she will not go,” added the old woman, emphatically. “No--my lord, it is useless to reason with that strong--headed, obstinate girl on the subject. Admitting, then, that I--her mother--placing her happiness above conventional opinions, and entertaining implicit faith in your honour and integrity,--admitting, I say, that I consent to the union of hearts proposed in this case,--waiving the ceremony of the union of hands,--can you, my lord, undertake to ensure my daughter against the contingencies of poverty?” “Situated as I now am, the means at my disposal an limited indeed,” said Charles Hatfield: “but the moment my rights are proclaimed and recognised----” “Then, at the same instant, the family estates, at present held by the Earl of Ellingham, will pass into the hands of your father--and you still remain totally dependant upon him until his death,” said Mrs. Fitzhardinge, embracing at a glance the whole range of contingencies.