, and we've fared well enough together." After
a pause the hostess said, "Talkin' of marriage, I have a fine
scheme in my head. If Iver comes back, as I trust he will, I want
him to marry Polly Colpus."

"Polly Colpus, mother!"

"She's James Colpus's only child, and will come in for money.
James Colpus is a wonderful thrivin' man."

"But she has a moustache."

"What of that, if she have money?"

"But--Iver--if he couldn't bear an ugly signboard to the house,
will he relish an ugly figure-head to his wife within it?"

"She has gold which will gild her moustache."

"I don't know," said Mehetabel; "Iver wouldn't take the business
at his father's wish, will he take a wife of his mother's
providing?"

"He will know which side his bread is buttered better than some
persons I could name."

"I fancy when folk look out for wives, they don't borrow their
mother's eyes."

"You cross me in everything to-day," said the hostess, peevishly.

Mehetabel's tears began to flow.

Mrs. Verstage was a woman who did not need much time or much
balancing to arrive at a determination, and when she had formed
her resolution, she clung to it with the same tenacity as her
husband did to his.

Her maternal jealousy had been roused, and the maternal instinct
is the strongest that exists in the female nature. Many a woman
would allow herself to be cut to bits for her child. But not only
will she sacrifice herself without hesitation, but also any one
else who in any way hinders the progress of her schemes for the
welfare of her child. Mrs. Verstage entertained affection for the
girl, an affection very real, yet not to the extent of allowing it
to blind her to the true interests of her own son. She was roused
to jealousy by the partiality of Simon for his adopted daughter, to
the prejudice of Iver. And now she was gravely alarmed lest on the
return of Iver, the young affection of the two children for each
other should take a new spell of life, assume a new form, and
intensify into passion.

Accordingly she was resolved, if possible, to remove the girl
from the Ship before the arrival of Iver. The proposal of the
Broom-Squire was opportune, and she was anxious to forward his
suit as the best means for raising an insuperable barrier between
her son and the girl, as well as removing her from Simon, who,
with his characteristic wrong-headedness, might actually do what
he had proposed.

"I don't see what you're crying about," said Mrs.