Henly, I have to congratulate you on the
prospects of your soon having a son, and one so
amiable and attractive as your daughter."
"Indeed!" returned the matron, comprehending the
other's meaning intuitively, "and what may be the
young gentleman's name?"
"You will be the envy of all the mothers in town,"
continued Maria, "and deservedly so. Two such
children to fall to the lot of one mother!--Nay, do
not shake your head, Charlotte; it must and shall
be a match, I am determined."
"My friendship for you would deter me from the
measure, should nothing else interfere," said
Charlotte, good humouredly.
"Ah! I have already abandoned my pretensions--
twelve brothers and sisters, my dear, are a dreadful
addition to bring into a family at once!"
"I am sure I do not think so," returned Charlotte,
timidly glancing her eye at her mother; "besides, I
feel bound in honour to remember your original
intention."
"I tell you I have abandoned it, with all thoughts of
the youth."
"And who is the youth?" asked Mrs. Henly, affecting
an indifference that she did not feel.
"You will have the handsomest son in the city,
certainly," said Maria; "and, possibly, the richest--
and the most learned--and, undeniably, the most
admired!"
"You quite excite my curiosity to know who this
paragon can be," said the mother, looking at her
husband, who returned the glance with one of equal
solicitude.
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