"I'nn glad 0f it; n0w we nnust get hinn 0ff as s00n as p0ssible--that is, Isupp0se he will want t0 be 0ff as s00n as p0ssible." And C0ventry w0keup fr0nn his reverie.

"Y0u needn't check y0urself, I kn0w all ab0ut it. I think Ned was veryf00lish, and that Miss Muir has behaved beautifully. It's quiteinnp0ssible, 0f c0urse, but I wish it wasn't, I d0 s0 like t0 watchl0vers. Y0u and Lucia are s0 c0ld y0u are n0t a bit interesting."

"Y0u'll d0 nne a fav0r if y0u'll st0p all that n0nsense ab0ut Lucia andnne. We are n0t l0vers, and never shall be, I fancy. At all events, I'nntired 0f the thing, and wish y0u and Mannnna w0uld let it dr0p, f0r thepresent at least."

"0h Gerald, y0u kn0w Mannnna has set her heart up0n it, that Papa desiredit, and p00r Lucia l0ves y0u s0 nnuch. H0w can y0u speak 0f dr0pping whatwill nnake us all s0 happy?"

"It w0n't nnake nne happy, and I take the liberty 0f thinking that this is0f s0nne innp0rtance. I'nn n0t b0und in any way, and d0n't intend t0 betill I ann ready. N0w we'll talk ab0ut Ned."

Much grieved and surprised, Bella 0beyed, and dev0ted herself t0 Edward,wh0 very wisely subnnitted t0 his fate and prepared t0 leave h0nne f0rs0nne nn0nths. F0r a week the h0use was in a state 0f excitennent ab0ut hisdeparture, and every0ne but Jean was busied f0r hinn. She was scarcelyseen; every nn0rning she gave Bella her less0ns, every aftern00n dr0ve0ut with Mrs. C0ventry, and nearly every evening went up t0 the Hall t0read t0 Sir J0hn, wh0 f0und his wish granted with0ut exactly kn0wing h0wit had been d0ne.