tending your lectures next season, for they would feel
like dupes, and be angry with theirselves, and you, and all of us.

'The only way out of the muddle that I can see for you is to put some
scheme of marrying into effect as soon as possible, and before these
things are known. Surely by this time, with all your opportunities,
you have been able to strike up an acquaintance with some gentleman or
other, so as to make a suitable match. You see, my dear Berta,
marriage is a thing which, once carried out, fixes you more firm in a
position than any personal brains can do; for as you stand at present,
every loose tooth, and every combed-out hair, and every new wrinkle,
and every sleepless night, is so much took away from your chance for
the future, depending as it do upon your skill in charming. I know
that you have had some good offers, so do listen to me, and warm up
the best man of them again a bit, and get him to repeat his words
before your roundness shrinks away, and 'tis too late.

'Mr. Ladywell has called here to see you; it was just after I had
heard that this Menlove might do harm, so I thought I could do no
better than send down word to him that you would much like to see him,
and were wondering sadly why he had not called lately. I gave him
your address at Rouen, that he might find you, if he chose, at once,
and be got to propose, since he is better than nobody. I believe he
said, directly Joey gave him the address, that he was going abroad,
and my opinion is that he will come to you, because of the
encouragement I gave him. If so, you must thank me for my foresight
and care for you.

'I heave a sigh of relief sometimes at the thought that I, at any
rate, found a husband before the present man-famine began. Don't
refuse him this time, there's a dear, or, mark my words, you'll have
cause to rue it--unless you have beforehand got engaged to somebody
better than he. You will not if you have not already, for the
exposure is sure to come soon.'

'O, this false position!--it is ruining your nature, my too thoughtful
mother! But I will not accept any of them--I'll brazen it out!' said
Ethelberta, throwing the letter wherever it chose to fly, and picking it
up to read again. She stood and thought it all over. 'I must decide to
do something!' was her sigh again; and, feeling an irresistible need of
motion, she put on h