rect admission of that feeling; she, accordingly, was of
opinion that in order to bring Mrs. Lindsay directly to the point, and
to exonerate herself and her husband from ever having entertained the
question at all, her best plan was to misunderstand her, and seem to
proceed upon a false scent.

"O, indeed, Mrs. Lindsay," she replied, "I am not surprised at that;
Charles and Alice were always great favorites with each other."

"Charles!" exclaimed Mrs. Lindsay; "Charles! What could induce you
to think of associating Charles and Alice? He is unworthy of such an
association."

"Bless me," exclaimed Mrs. Goodwin in her turn; "why, I thought you
alluded to Charles."

"No," said her neighbor, "I alluded to my eldest son, Harry, to whose
good offices in this matter both families are so much indebted. He is
worthy of any girl, and indeed few girls are worthy of him; but as for
Alice, you know what a favorite she was with me, and I trust now I shall
like her even better than ever."

"You are right, Mrs. Lindsay," said Goodwin, "in saying that few women
are worthy of your eldest son; he is a most gentlemanly, and evidently
a most accomplished young man; his conversation at breakfast here the
morning after the storm was so remarkable, both for good sense and good
feeling, that I am not surprised at your friendly visit today, Mrs.
Lindsay. He was sent, I hope, to introduce a spirit of peace and concord
between us, and God forbid that we should repel it; on the contrary,
we hail his mediation with delight, and feel deeply indebted to him for
placing both families in their original position."

"I trust in a better position," replied his adroit mother; "I trust in a
better position, Mr. Goodwin, and a still nearer and dearer connection.
It is better, however, to speak out; you know me of old, my dear
friends, and that I am blunt and straightforward--as the proverb has it,
'I think what I say, and I say what I think.' This visit, then, is made,
as I said, not only by my own wish, but at the express entreaty of my
son Harry, and the great delight of the whole family; there is therefore
no use in concealing the fact--he is deeply attached to your daughter,
Alice, and was from the first moment he saw her;--of course you now
understand my mission--which is, in fact, to make a proposal of marriage
in his name, and to entreat your favorable consideration of it, as well
as your influence in his behalf with Alice herself."

"Well, I de