constant attentions, and
little notes, and insinuating manners of a very handsome, fashionable,
agreeable woman; and she thinks Glanyravon Park and a man of fortune
that she will be able to turn round her fingers, better than the
jointure she will have to live upon when her daughter leaves her. I was
actually disgusted with her yesterday; it was what I call a dead set; if
he marries her I shall hang myself, for live with her I never will; I
positively detest her.'

'Oh! Freda; those are the old expressions of years gone by. But you are
jumping at a conclusion.'

'Not at all; papa always stands up for Lady Nugent and her insipid
daughter. You know he is a thorough gentleman himself and does not
understand such a maneuvering woman. I told him so the other day, and he
was quite angry; and I am sure she sets him against me. Why will you not
try to marry papa, if he must marry again? and you are the only person I
could tolerate for a step-mother.'

'My dear Freda,' said Miss Hall, laughing, 'your papa would as soon
think of Miss Rice Rice as of me.'

'You are quite mistaken, he has always admired you very much, only you
are so dreadfully reserved with him. You won't see that he wants some
one who can talk to and for him, to save him the trouble. This Lady
Nugent does with the most contemptible tact; and does it so cleverly
that nobody sees through her. If you will only try, and just propose at
the right moment, I am convinced papa would have you. If he marries her,
I say good-bye to Glanyravon for ever.'

'You are so impetuous, Freda; I am sure your papa has never thought of
it.'

'Not exactly in a downright way, nor will he till Lady Nugent makes the
proposal; then he will be rather frightened at first, and finally think
that she will head his table more gracefully than I shall, and be less
dictatorial--and I shall go into a convent.'

'Better marry yourself, my dear.'

'Marry who? The only person who would really care to have me, whether I
had a fortune or not, is Sir Hugh Pryse, and I could no more marry him
than--than--Mr Rice Rice, or Major Madox, who thinks only of the heiress
of Glanyravon.'

'But you have refused half-a-dozen more, and have not even taken the
trouble to try to like any one of them!'

'They were all in love with the Park, not with me; and I certainly never
mean to try to like any one. It must be true love with me, or none at
all. I shall die an old maid, and unless you will, just for my s