"Ah!" said the major sadly, "but the thousand pangs and aches and heart-sickenings! I would sooner see my child on the funeral pyre of a husband she loved, than living a merry life with one she despised!" Hester began to feel she had not been doing the major justice. "So would I!" she said heartily. "You mean me well, and I shall not forget how kind you have been. Now let us go back." "Just one thing more: if ever you think I can help you, you _will_ let me know?" "That I promise with all my heart," she answered. "I mean," she added, "if it be a thing I count it right to trouble you about." The major's face fell. "I see!" he said; "you won't promise anything. Well, stick to that, and _don't_ promise." "You wouldn't have me come to you for a new bonnet, would you?" "By George! shouldn't I be proud to fetch you the best in Regent street by the next train!" "Or saddle the pony for me?" "Try me.--But I won't have any more chaff. I throw myself on your generosity, and trust you to remember there is an old man that loves you, and has more money than he knows what to do with." "I think," said Hester, "the day is sure to come when I shall ask your help. In the meantime, if it be any pleasure to you to know it, I trust you heartily. You are all wrong about lord Gartley though. He is not what you think him." She gave him her hand. The major took it in his own soft small one--small enough almost for the hilt of an Indian tulwar--and pressed it devoutly to his lips. She did not draw it away, and he felt she trusted him. Now that the hard duty was done, and if not much good yet no harm had resulted, he went home a different man. A pang of fear for Hester in the power of "that ape Gartley" would now and then pass through him; but he had now a right to look after her, and who can tell what might not turn up! His host congratulated him on looking so much better for his walk, and Hester recounted to her mother their strange conversation. "Only think, mamma!" she said; "he offered me a thousand a year not to marry lord Gartley!" "Hester!" "He does not like the earl, and he does like me; so he wants me not to marry him. That is all!" "I thought I could have believed anything of him, but this goes almost beyond belief!" "Why should it, mamma? There is an odder thing still: instead of hating him for it, I like him better than before." "Are you sure he has no notion of making room for himself?" "Quite sure. He would have it he was old enough to be my grandfather. But you know he is not that!" "Perhaps you wouldn't mind if he were a little younger yet!" said her mother merrily, "as he is too young to be your grandfather." "I suppose you had a presentiment I should like him, and left him for me, mamma!" returned Hester in like vein. "But seriously, Hester, is it not time we knew what lord Gartley means?" "Oh, mamma! please don't talk like that!"