feeling toward me. At the first words of greeting that passed
between us I perceived a change in her manner, which ran in the opposite
extreme. She overwhelmed me with the most elaborate demonstrations of
politeness and respect; dwelling on her gratitude for my kindness in
receiving her, and on her pride at seeing her daughter's flowers on my
table, until I made a resolute effort to stop her by asking (as if it
was actually a matter of importance to me!) whether she was in London on
business or on pleasure.

"Oh, on business, sir! My poor husband invested his little savings in
bank stock, and I have just been drawing my dividend. I do hope you
don't think my girl over-bold in venturing to send you a few flowers.
She wouldn't allow me to interfere. I do assure you she would gather and
arrange them with her own hands. In themselves I know they are hardly
worth accepting; but if you will allow the motive to plead--"

I made another effort to stop Mrs. Rymer; I said her daughter could not
have sent me a prettier present.

The inexhaustible woman only went on more fluently than ever.

"She is so grateful, sir, and so proud of your goodness in looking at
her exercises. The difficulty of the French language seem as nothing to
her, now her motive is to please you. She is so devoted to her studies
that I find it difficult to induce her to take the exercise necessary
to her health; and, as you may perhaps remember, Susan was always
rather weakly as a child. She inherits her father's constitution, Mr.
Lepel--not mine."

Here, to my infinite relief, the servant appeared, announcing that my
horse was at the door.

Mrs. Rymer opened her mouth. I saw a coming flood of apologies on the
point of pouring out--and seized my hat on the spot. I declared I had an
appointment; I sent kind remembrances to Susan (pitying her for having
such a mother with my whole heart); I said I hoped to return to my
uncle's house soon, and to continue the French lessons. The one thing
more that I remember was finding myself safe in the saddle, and out of
the reach of Mrs. Rymer's tongue.

Reflecting on what had passed, it was plain to me that this woman had
some private end in view, and that my abrupt departure had prevented her
from finding the way to it. What motive could she possibly have for that
obstinate persistence in presenting poor Susan under a favorable aspect,
to a man who had already shown that he was honestly interested in her
pretty mod