The subject of departure was settled amicably; both the young ladies were to return to Prior's Ash under the charge of Mr. Godolphin. There are some men, single men though they be, and not men in years, whom society is content to recognize as entirely fit escorts. Thomas Godolphin was one of them. Had my lady despatched the young ladies home under Mr. George's wing, she might never have heard the last of it from Prior's Ash: but the most inveterate scandalmonger in it would not have questioned the trustworthiness of his elder brother. My lady was also brought to give her consent to her own departure for it by Christmas, provided Mr. Snow would assure her that the place was "safe." In a day or two Thomas Godolphin spoke to his father of his marriage arrangements. He had received a letter from Janet, written the morning after his departure, in which she agreed to the proposal that Ethel should be her temporary guest. This removed all barrier to the immediate union. "Then you marry directly, if Sarah Anne lives?" "Directly. In January, at the latest." "God bless you both!" cried the old knight. "She'll be a wife in a thousand, Thomas." Thomas thought she would. He did not say it. "It's the best plan; it's the best plan," continued Sir George in a dreamy tone, gazing into the fire. "No use to turn the girls out of their home. It will not be for long; not for long. Thomas"--turning his haggard, but still fine blue eye upon his son--"I wish I had never left Ashlydyat!" Thomas was silent. None had more bitterly regretted the departure from it than he. "I wish I could go back to it to die!" "My dear father, I hope that you will yet live many years to bless us. If you can get through this winter--and I see no reason whatever why you should not, with care--you may regain your strength and be as well again as any of us." Sir George shook his head. "It will not be, Thomas; I shall not long keep you out of Ashlydyat. Mind!" he added, turning upon Thomas with surprising energy, "I _will_ go back before Christmas to Prior's Ash. The last Christmas that I see shall be spent with my children." "Yes, indeed, I think you should come back to us," warmly acquiesced Thomas. "Therefore, if you find, when Christmas is close upon us, that I am not amongst you, that you hear no tidings of my coming amongst you, you come off at once and fetch me. Do you hear, Thomas? I enjoin it upon you now with a father's authority; do not forget it, or disobey it. My lady fears the fever, and would keep me here: but I must be at Prior's Ash." "I will certainly obey you, my father," replied Thomas Godolphin.