“Indeed! and to _you_—I should have thought—but no matter, I am truly rejoiced at the dear girl’s good fortune—however, I think it would have been more proper if Wallace had spoken to me first.” “I don’t think so, my dear,” said Mr. Hazleton. “No, I dare say not,” replied the lady, evidently piqued; “it is to be sure a mark of respect to your—your years.” “On the contrary, I think it a mark of respect to Mrs. Churchill.” “_Mrs. Churchill!_” exclaimed Mrs. Hazleton, “what has Mrs. Churchill to do with Herman Wallace’s proposals for my daughter?” “Nothing at all—but a great deal to do with his proposals for her own.” “What! _Alice Churchill!_ You don’t mean to say that Herman Wallace has made proposals of marriage to _her_!” “Certainly I do—and I have given my consent with all my heart, and I doubt not, from my representations, her mother will also give hers.” “He is a villain!” exclaimed Mrs. Hazleton. “Have all his devoted attentions come to this? My poor Julia! has he been trifling with her affections merely for his own amusement—and has he now the audacity to offer his hand to another!” “I thought you were aware, my dear,” said Mr. Hazleton, mildly, “that the affections of Julia were already given to a very deserving nephew of yours.” “Ridiculous, Mr. Hazleton! I should like to see Julia disposing of her affections without my consent. Pray, where did you hear this nonsense?” “From Julia herself,” answered Mr. Hazleton. “She would have made a confidante of you, Anna, but you would not listen to her. She has acknowledged to me, therefore, her long attachment for Frank Reeve, and has requested me to intercede with you to sanction their engagement.” “That I will never do,” cried Mrs. Hazleton, in a towering passion. “What!—consent to her marrying a poor midshipman? No, never!” “But he will rise—he will be promoted.” “No matter if he is—he shall never marry Julia Ketchim!” “She loves him, my dear, sincerely,” interposed Mr. Hazleton. “It has been an attachment since childhood—would you break her heart?” “Yes, I would—before I would consent to her becoming his wife.” “But, my dear, will you not see your nephew, and let him plead his own cause? Do, my dear, reflect upon the consequences of what you are now doing.” “No, Mr. Hazleton—I tell you I will not see him, and I have already forbidden Julia. If it had not been for him, and for the artful machinations of your niece, I might have seen Julia properly allied—rank with rank.” Mr. Hazleton could swallow a great deal, and he therefore swallowed this, though with something of a take-physic face. He then resumed: “Since such, then, is your firm decision, I feel more free to inform you that the friend of Mr. Wallace, Mr.——” “Francis.” “The same—has also requested permission to pay his addresses to Julia.” “Ah, indeed!” and now Mrs. Hazleton began to look pleased again.