r position
was one of some difficulty. "But we all do know that in affairs of
that kind young men do allow themselves to go great lengths. And the
greater lengths they go, Mrs. Ray, the more particular the young
ladies ought to be."

"But what's a young lady to do? How's she to know whether a young
man is in earnest, or whether he's only going lengths, as you call
it?" Mrs. Ray's eyes were still moist with tears; and, I grieve to
say that though, as far as immediate words are concerned, she was
fighting Rachel's battle not badly, still the blows of the enemy were
taking effect upon her. She was beginning to wish that Luke Rowan had
never been seen, or his name heard, at Bragg's End.

"I think it's quite understood in the world," said Mrs. Rowan, "that
a young lady is not to take a gentleman at his first word."

"Oh, quite," said Mrs. Tappitt.

"We've all of us daughters," said Mrs. Rowan.

"Yes, all of us," said Mrs. Tappitt. "That's what makes it so fitting
that we should discuss this matter together in a friendly feeling."

"My son is a very good young man,--a very good young man indeed."

"But a little hasty, perhaps," said Mrs. Tappitt.

"If you'll allow me, Mrs. Tappitt."

"Oh, certainly, Mrs. Rowan."

"A very good young man indeed; and I don't think it at all probable
that in such a matter as this he will act in opposition to his
mother's wishes. He has his way to make in the world."

"Which will never be in the brewery line," said Mrs. Tappitt.

"He has his way to make in the world," continued Mrs. Rowan, with
much severity; "and if he marries in four or five years' time, that
will be quite as soon as he ought to think of doing. I'm sure you
will agree with me, Mrs. Ray, that long engagements are very bad,
particularly for the lady."

"He wanted to be married next month," said Mrs. Ray.

"Ah, yes; that shows that the whole thing couldn't come to much. If
there was an engagement at all, it must be a very long one. Years
must roll by." From the artistic manner in which Mrs. Rowan allowed
her voice to dwell upon the words which signified duration of space,
any hope of a marriage between Luke and Rachel seemed to be put off
at any rate to some future century. "Years must roll by, and we all
know what that means. The lady dies of a broken heart, while the
gentleman lives in a bachelor's rooms, and dines always at his club.
Nobody can wish such a state of things as that, Mrs. Ray."

"I knew a girl wh