"Everything will come right," said Mr. Fox-Cordery. "In a month or two I hope to set myself straight. Meanwhile, as we have agreed, we will enter into a truce. There shall be no more unpleasantnesses between us. We have had a family disagreement, that is all; I blow it away." He made a motion with his lips, as though he were blowing away a cloud. "So, for two months, we will say nothing more concerning the affair. If you have had something to complain of in the past, it is perhaps due to the anxieties by which I have been overwhelmed. You do not know what a man's troubles are, fighting with the world and with people who are trying to get the advantage of him. Be thankful that you are a woman, and are spared these trials. You shall have nothing to complain of in the future." "Thank you, Fox." "I have your promise, Charlotte, that the matter shall rest for two months, when, no doubt, you will have everything you wish for." "Yes, I promise," said Charlotte, feeling rather helpless. "And you will say nothing to Mrs. Grantham about our little disagreement till that time has expired, when there will be no occasion whatever to humiliate yourself and us? That, of course, is agreed." "Yes, Fox." "It is a sacred promise, mind." "I have given it, and I will keep to it." "Very well; we are good friends again, and always shall be. By the way, Charlotte, I am going to take a house on the Thames for the summer months." "I heard mother mention it." "Partly to give you some pleasure and relaxation. We will have pleasant times there." "I hope so, Fox." "Mother," said Mr. Fox-Cordery, as if the idea had just occurred to him, instead of having been in his mind for several weeks, "you might invite Mrs. Grantham to pay us a visit there, and to remain with us a little while. It will be company for Charlotte." "I will write to-day if you wish, my love," said Mrs. Fox-Cordery, responding to his suggestion immediately, as she always did. These two perfectly understood each other. "Not to-day, mother; we must wait till I have taken the house. The one you spoke of will do capitally, if it answers to the description in the letter. And, Charlotte, when mother writes to Mrs. Grantham, you might write also, saying how glad you will be if she comes to us--a nice letter, Charlotte, with as many pretty things in it as you can think of. You see the confidence I place in you, my dear." "I will write when you tell me, Fox. It will be a great pleasure to me if she comes." "That is what I want--to give you as much pleasure as possible. Now, my dear, go to your room. I am very glad our little misunderstanding has ended so amicably." He smiled affection upon Charlotte, and she left mother and son together. For a few moments there was silence--he chewing the cud of savage reflection, she throbbing with affection for him and with anger at her daughter's presumption. "What made you so smooth with her, Fox?" asked Mrs. Fox-Cordery.