"Forgive me, mother.

I know you mean to be kind," he said.

"You will help me, won't you ?" "With all my heart," she said, anxiously; "only tell me how." "You see, I can't help feeling," said Peter, bashfully, "that she wouldn't have told me why she _couldn't_ marry me, if she hadn't thought she might bring herself to do it in the end, if I got over the difficulties she mentioned.

I've been--hopeful, ever since she refused that ass of an Avonwick, in spite of Lady Tintern.

It wants some courage to defy Lady Tintern, I can tell you, though she's such a little object to look at.