n.

Barton paired off with the younger Miss Delamere, Thornton with the
elder. Mrs. Bagshaw and I followed, conversing cheerfully of many
things. I found her a very entertaining and agreeable lady,
accomplished, frank, and amiable. There was nothing at all peculiar
either in her appearance or conversation. While I was talking to her I
kept wondering whether her outbreaks of temper were the result of some
real or supposed cause of jealousy, or were to be attributed solely to a
chronic feeling of irritability against her husband. In the course of
our walk together Mrs. Bagshaw said to me--

"Your friend, Mr. Thornton, is evidently very much smitten with Florence
Delamere."

"Yes, I think so," I replied, "but I daresay nothing will come of it. Her
family would not like it, I suppose; for, you know, they are of a good
family in Norfolk, and Thornton is only the son of a grocer."

"I did not know that," she said, "but I have thought your friend had not
quite the manners of the class to which the Delameres clearly belong.
Mrs. Delamere is perhaps not anyone in particular, and she certainly
talks overmuch upon subjects which probably she does not understand. The
young ladies are most agreeable and lady-like, and I think Mr. Thornton
has found that out. It is easy to see that objections to any engagement
would be of the gravest sort--indeed, I imagine, insurmountable. It is
most unfortunate that this should happen when the young man is away from
his parents, who might guide him out of the difficulty. I think Mrs.
Delamere is aware of the attachment, and is not inclined to favour it. Do
you think you could influence your friend in any way? You will do him a
great service if you can warn him of his danger; if he does not attend to
you, you might tell Mr. Porkington, and consult with him."

I promised to follow her advice as well as I could, for I felt that it
was both kindly meant and reasonable, although I felt myself rather too
young to be entangled in such matters.

* * * * *

"Oh what a lovely fern, such a nice little one too. Do try and dig it up
for me," said Florence.

"I will try to do my best," said Thornton; "I have got a knife." And
down he went upon his knees, and soon extracted a little brittle bladder,
which he handed to the young lady, saying, "I hope it will live. Do you
think it will?"

"Oh, yes," she said. "I can keep it here till we go home, and then plant
it in my rockery, where they