ng of the other sort.'

'So you really do not wish for the other sort?' said Mrs. Frost, half
mortified, as if it were a slight to her boy.

'I don't know how her father might take it,' said Mrs. Ponsonby, eager
to disarm, her. 'With his grand expectations, and his view of the
state of this property, he might make difficulties. He is fond of
expressing his contempt for needy nobility, and I am afraid, after all
that has passed, that this would be the last case in which he would
make an exception.'

'Yet you say he is fond of Mary.'

'Very fond. If anything would triumph over his dislike, it would be
his affection for her, but I had rather my poor Mary had not to put it
to the proof. And, after all, I don't think it the safest way for a
marriage, that the man should be the most attractive, and the woman the
most--'

'Sensible! Say it, Mary--that is the charm in my nephew's eyes.'

'Your great-nephew is the point! No, no, Aunt Kitty; you are under a
delusion. The kindness to Mary is no more than 'auld lang-syne,' and
because he thinks her too impossible. He cannot afford for his son to
marry anything but a grand unquestionable heiress. Mary's fortune,
besides, depending on speculations, would be nothing to what Lady
Fitzjocelyn ought to have.'

'For shame! I think better of him. I believe he would be unworldly
when Louis's happiness was concerned.'

'To return to James,' said Mrs. Ponsonby, decidedly: 'I am glad that
his uncle should have declared his intentions.'

'Oh, my dear, we are quite used to that. I am only glad that Jem takes
no heed. We have had enough of that!--for my own part,' and the tears
arose, 'I never expect that poor Oliver will think he has done enough
in my lifetime. These things do so grow on a man! If I had but kept
him at home!'

'It might have been the same.'

'There would have been something to divide his attention. His brother
used to be a sort of idol; he seemed to love him the more for his
quiet, easy ways, and to delight in waiting on him. I do believe he
delays, because he cannot bear to come home without Henry!'

Mrs. Ponsonby preferred most topics to that of Mrs. Frost's sons, and
was relieved by the sight of the young people returning across the
lawn--Fitzjocelyn with his ash stick, but owing a good deal of support
to Mary's firm, well-knit arm. They showed well together: even
lameness could not disfigure the grace of his leisurely movements; and
the brig