Ten days later, all the families round came to pay visits of condolence; and to each Lisle said that, although he himself could not think of going out, at present, his friend Hallett, who had come to stay with him for a month, would be glad to join in any quiet festivity.

So Hallett was frequently invited out, Lisle accompanying him only to the very quietest of dinners.
One evening Hallett returned in the highest glee.
"Congratulate me, my dear fellow," he said.

"Miss Merton has accepted me and, after she had done so, I had the inevitable talk with her father.

He told me, frankly, that he had hoped that his daughter would make a better match.

I of course agreed with him, heartily; but he went on to say that, after all, our happiness was the first consideration, and that he felt sure that it would be secured by her marriage with me.