“Very tiresome,” assented Mrs. Raymount. “But a title is not like an illness. If you can live without, you can live with one.”

“True. But there’s society, you see. There’s so much expected of a man in my position. What do you think, Miss Raymount?” he asked, turning toward Hester.

“I do not see why a mere name could have any power to alter one’s mode of life. Of course if the change brings new duties, they must be attended to, but if the property be so small as you say, it cannot need much looking after. To be sure, there are the servants, but they cannot be many. Why shouldn’t you go on as you are?”

“I must go a good deal by what my aunt thinks best. She has a sort of right, you see. Her one fixed idea, knowing that I was likely to succeed, has been the rehabilitation of the earldom. She has been like a mother to me, and will more than likely make me her heir too, though she might change her mind at any moment. She is a kindhearted woman, but a little peculiar. I wish you knew my aunt, Mrs. Raymount.”

“I should be very pleased to know her.”

“She would be delighted with this lovely place of yours. It is a perfect paradise. I feel its loveliness even more that I am so soon to hear its gates close behind me.”

“You must bring your aunt some time, Mr. Vavasor. We should make her very welcome,” said Mrs. Raymount.

“Unfortunately, with all her good qualities, my aunt, as I have said, is a little peculiar. For one thing, she shrinks from making new acquaintances.”

By this time Vavasor had resolved to make an attempt to gain his aunt’s approval of Hester and felt sure she could not fail to be taken with her if only she saw her in fit surroundings. With her the frame was more than half the picture. And now, in the setting of Yrndale, the family would be of so much more importance in her eyes. He also had the advantage of greater importance with the title in his possession—he was the Earl of Gartley. She must either be of one mind with him now, or lose the cherished purpose of so many years.