‘What right have you to say so?’ cried Grace, starting up. ‘What has he done to make you distrust him? Papa and he are such close friends; and if papa had not considered Mr Harland to be good and trustworthy, would he have asked him to accompany us to New Zealand?’ ‘Ah, your papa and me don’t always think alike, my dear, although, I am thankful to say, a difference of opinion doesn’t make us quarrel. And men are blinder than women in such matters. They judge by the outside, but we have our instincts.’ ‘Do you want to set me against Mr Harland?’ exclaimed Grace, with flashing eyes. ‘Do you like him so much, then, my dear?’ ‘Yes; that is to say, of course we all like him. Who could help doing so, when he is so agreeable and good-looking?’ ‘And he has told you that he likes you?’ Grace lay down on the pillow again, and turned her face slightly away. ‘Don’t be afraid of me, my dear girl,’ continued Mrs Vansittart; ‘I sha’n’t scold you, whatever may have happened. Is it a settled thing between you and this gentleman?’ ‘Contingent on your consent and papa’s,’ replied Grace. ‘You mean if we say _yes_,’ corrected her mother, who was rather puzzled by the word ‘contingent.’ ‘Just so, mamma. Mr Harland has asked me to marry him, and I have consented, provided you and papa have no objections to make to it.’ Mrs Vansittart began to cry. ‘Oh, my dear! it’s terrible quick. Why couldn’t you have waited till we got home to Tabbakooloo? There are so many nice young fellows about there, and you’d have had a much better choice.’ ‘I don’t want to choose. I’m quite satisfied with Mr Harland,’ said Grace pettishly. ‘And why are you crying, mamma? What has he done? Really, it’s quite alarming to see you go on in this way.’ ‘Oh, Grace, my darling girl! don’t give him a final answer yet. Wait a little longer,’ sobbed the old lady. ‘I can’t give you any reason, but I’ve a notion it won’t turn out well.’ ‘But this is nonsense,’ replied her daughter, from the heights of her superior wisdom. ‘If you have any reasonable objection to Mr Harland, mother, tell me what it is, and I will endeavour to fall in with your wishes. But don’t condemn him for a chimera.’ ‘A _what_, my dear?’ said Mrs Vansittart, opening her eyes. ‘I never heard of such a thing. But he hasn’t no money. You must allow that. He says so himself.’ ‘I know he is in difficulties at present, but a year or so will clear them all off. And the most fashionable people get into difficulties sometimes, mamma, and have to mortgage their estates and let their houses. You have only to hear Mr Harland talk, to know what splendid circumstances he has been in. Besides, papa has always told me that the want of money need never influence my choice of a husband, because he has plenty for us all.’ ‘You have made up your mind, then, to marry this Mr Harland, Grace?’ ‘Yes, mamma, if papa and you give your consent.’