He took him to another room, and shut the door. "I want the truth," he said, "upon one or two points----" "Mr. Hastings," said George, drawing himself up, "I have told you nothing but the truth upon all points." "Were you never engaged to Charlotte Pain?" proceeded Mr. Hastings, taking no notice of the interruption. "Never. I never sought or wished to be." "Then what did your good father, Sir George, mean, when he alluded to it the night he was dying? He asked if you and Charlotte were married yet, and you replied, 'Plenty of time for that.'" "I said it merely in answer to his words: it was not an hour for dissent or explanation. He was not conscious of what he said." "Had you expressed to him any particular liking for Charlotte Pain?" "I had not; at any time. Sir George believed Miss Pain had a large fortune, and he recommended me, more than once, to think of her, and it. He said she was a handsome girl, and none the worse for possessing a fortune. He had heard she would have thirty thousand pounds. I used to laugh it off. I cared for Maria too much to cast a thought to Charlotte Pain. That is the whole truth, Mr. Hastings, on my honour." "Would he have objected to Maria?" "To Maria I am certain he would not have objected. To her want of fortune he might. But that is a thing that only concerns myself. I do not require fortune with my wife, and I do not seek it. You will give her to me, Mr. Hastings? You will dispense with unnecessary ceremony, and let her go abroad with me?" he urged. "She will do me more good than all else." "I will give you no promise of any sort, Mr. George Godolphin. As to taking her abroad with you, it is absurd to think of it. And no daughter of mine shall enter a family where she is not sure of a hearty welcome. I must first know the sentiments of yours." George looked radiant. "Mr. Hastings, if they heartily welcome Maria, will you allow _me_ to welcome her?" "Possibly I may." "Then it is an affair decided. Janet will be relieved of a nightmare; and Maria is, I believe, Thomas's prime favourite in all the world, now that Ethel is gone." "Of what nightmare will it relieve Miss Godolphin?" inquired the Rector. A smile crossed George's lips. "She, like you, has been fearing that I intended to connect myself with Charlotte Pain. Only yesterday I assured Janet that she was mistaken; but I scarcely think she placed entire faith in me. She does not like Miss Pain." "Do you think you have pursued a wise course in giving cause for this talk, regarding Miss Pain?" "I have not given cause to Miss Pain herself, Mr. Hastings," replied George, warmly. "I am convinced that she has known in her heart of my attachment to Maria. As to whiling away a few hours with her occasionally in idle talk, it is a pastime that Charlotte Pain is given to favour." "And myself also," Mr. George might have added.