"We have a credit to keep up before the public, George. It stands high; it deserves to stand high; I hope it always will do so. But I consider it necessary that one of you should marry a fortune; I should have been glad that both had done so. Take the hint, George; and never expect my consent to your making an undesirable match, for it would not be given." "But, if my inclination fixed itself upon one who has no money, what then, sir?" asked bold George carelessly. Sir George pushed from before him a dish of filberts, so hastily as to scatter them on the table. It proved to his sons, who knew him well, that the question had annoyed him. "Your inclinations are as yet free, George: I say the world is before you, and you may choose wisely. If you do not: if, after this warning, you suffer your choice to rest where it is undesirable that it should rest, you will do it in deliberate defiance of me. In that case I shall disinherit you: partially, if not wholly." Something appeared to be on the tip of George's tongue, but he checked it, and there ensued a pause. "Thomas is to be allowed to follow his choice," he presently said. "I had not warned Thomas with regard to a choice; therefore he has been guilty of no disobedience. It is his having chosen as he has, that reminds me to caution you. Be careful, my boy." "Well, sir, I have no intention of marrying yet, and I suppose you will not disinherit me for keeping single," concluded George good-humouredly. He rose to leave the room as he spoke, throwing a merry glance towards Thomas as he did so, who had taken no part whatever in the conversation. The twilight of the evening had passed, but the moon shone bright and clear, rendering the night nearly as light as day. Janet Godolphin stood on the lawn with Miss Hastings, when George stepped out and joined them. "Moon-gazing, Janet!" "Yes," she answered. "I am going on to the ash-trees." George paused before he again spoke. "Why are you going thither?" "Because," whispered Janet, glancing uneasily around, "they say the Shadow is there again." George himself had heard that it was: had heard it, as you know, from Charlotte Pain. But he chose to make mockery of his sister's words. "Some say the moon's made of green cheese," quoth he. "Who told you that nonsense?" "It has been told to me," mysteriously returned Janet. "Margery saw it last night, for one." "Margery sees double, sometimes. Do not go, Janet." Janet's only answer was to put the hood of her cloak over her head, and walk away. Bessy Godolphin ran up at this juncture. "Is Janet going to the ash-trees? She'll turn into a ghost herself some time, believing all the rubbish Margery chooses to dream. I shall go and tell her so." Bessy followed in the wake of her sister. George turned to Miss Hastings. "Have you a cloak also, Maria? Draw it round you, then, and let us go after them."