"My dear child, comparisons are odious, and at your age you should allow people to think for you. Does it ever occur to you that your mother's sole wish--the object for which she almost entirely lives--is to see her child happily settled in life? No, no; don't speak, please: you hurt me. I consented to your sister Renee's union with Frank for many reasons. Certainly his family is plebeian, but he is a young man whom I am rejoiced to see determined to make use of his wealth to his own elevation--to marry well, and be the founder of a new family of gentry." "But I'm sure Renee is not happy, mamma." "Then, in her position, it is her own fault, my dear, of course. I had been married years before I had a second carriage. Once for all, there is no comparison between Frank and this Mr Huish. If it had not been out of commiseration for your uncle Robert--it being his wish--Mr Huish would not have been received here at all." Gertrude bit her nether lip, and bent lower over her work as sweet and lovable a face as girl of twenty could have. "Your uncle is a most unhappy man; and if he were not so rich people would call him insane, living such an absurd life as he does. I often feel as if I must go and rouse him up, and force him to act like a Christian. By the way, you have not been to see him lately?" "No, mamma." "Call, then, soon. He must not be neglected. We have our duties to do, and that is one of them. He is always kind to you?" "Always, mamma." "That is right. You must humour him, for he seems to have taken a most unnatural dislike to Richard." "Yes, mamma." "Do you think so?" said Lady Millet sharply. "He forbade Dick to call again after he had importuned him for money." "Foolish, reckless boy! That's the way young people always seem to me determined to wreck their prospects. Your uncle Robert has no one else to leave his money to but you children, and yet you persist in running counter to his wishes." "I, mamma?" "All of you. Do you suppose because he desired your father to take a little more notice of this John Huish that you were to throw yourself at his head?" Gertrude squeezed her eyelids very tightly together, and took three or four stitches in the dark. "I have always found Uncle Robert particularly kind to me." "And so he would be to Renee and to Richard if they were not so foolish. I declare I don't know what that boy can possibly do with his money. But, there, I suppose being in a regiment is expensive." "Do you like Major Malpas, mamma?" said Gertrude suddenly. "Certainly not!" said Lady Millet tartly; "and really, Gertrude, you are a most extraordinary girl! John Huish one moment, Major Malpas the next. Huish was bad enough; now don't, for goodness' sake, go throwing yourself at Major Malpas." "Mamma!"