"When the Duke and Duchess want him more than they want their own way. He says disputing will do harm, and not good; but that if a difference is left to the heart, the heart in the long run will get the best of the argument. I am sure he is right. Father, he is going to send you and mother long letters, and so I shall know where he is; and with the joy of this meeting to keep in my memory, I am not going to fret and be miserable."
"That is right. That is the way to take a disappointment. Good things are worth waiting for, eh, Kitty?"
"And we shall have so much to interest us, Father. There is Edgar's marriage coming; and it would not do to have two weddings in one year, would it? Father, you like Piers? I am sure you do."
"I would not have let him put a foot in Atheling to-day if I had not liked him. He has been very good company for me in London, very good company indeed--thoughtful and respectful. Yes, I like Piers."
"Because--now listen, Father--because, much as I love Piers, I would not be his wife for all England if you and mother did not like him."
"Bless my heart, Kitty! Is not that saying a deal?"
"No. It would be no more than justice. If you should force on me a husband whom I despised or disliked, would I not think it very wicked and cruel? Then would it not be just as wicked and cruel if I should force on you a son-in-law whom you despised and disliked? There is not one law of kindness for the parents, and another law, less kind, for the daughter, is there?"
"Thou art quite right, Kitty. The laws of the Home and the Family are _equal_ laws. God bless thee for a good child."
And, oh, how sweet were Kitty's slumbers that night! It is out of earth's delightful things we form our visions of the world to come; and Kate understood, because of her own pure, true, hopeful love, how "God is love," and how, therefore, He would deny her any good thing.
So the summer went its way, peacefully and happily. In the last days of August, Edgar was married with great pomp and splendour; and afterwards the gates of Gisbourne stood wide-open, and there were many signs and promises of wonderful improvements and innovations. For the young man was a born leader and organiser. He loved to control, and soon devised means to secure what was so necessary to his happiness. The Curzons had made their money in manufactures; and Annie approved of such use of money. So very soon, at the upper end of Gisbourne, a great mill, and a fine new village of cottages for its hands, arose as if by magic,--a village that was to example and carry out all the ideas of Reform.