“Oh, nonsense--she does like him--at least, she doesn’t like anybody else that I know of--and why shouldn’t she like him?” asked the exasperated mother. “You know, Mrs. Crofton, that my poor income dies with me--and there is Johnnie, poor child, to make some provision for, and when I die what will she do?--though to be sure,” concluded Mrs. Harley, drawing herself up a little, “I am not the sort of person to marry my daughters merely for an establishment--that never was my way. This case, you must perceive, Clare, is quite different. He is such a very nice--such an entirely satisfactory person; and the position--I was a clergyman’s wife myself, and I would choose that sphere rather than any other for Alice; and as for liking, I really cannot see a single reason why she should not like him, do you?” “Why, no--except just, perhaps, that--I fear--she doesn’t,” said I, with hesitation; for I confess this superlative mother’s argument quite nonplused me. After all, why shouldn’t she like that good, young, handsome Rector? I reserved the question for private consideration, but was a little staggered by the strength of Mrs. Harley’s case. “My opinion is that Alice thinks it rather a merit to refuse an eligible person,” said Mrs. Harley--“like all these young people. There is Maurice, too--you will not believe it, Clare--but Maurice has actually had the folly to fall in love with Francis Owen’s sister in Simonborough. I could not believe my ears when I heard of it first. Maurice, who has always been such a very prudent boy! She is a very nice, pretty girl, but, of course has not a penny--and Maurice has nothing but his fellowship. It is a pretty mess altogether. In the very best view of the case, if Maurice even had been content to think like other people, and had a nice living waiting for him, they might both have done better--_he_ might have done a _great_ deal better at least. But, no!--when they find somebody quite unsuitable, that is the very thing to please young people in these days; and there is my son, Clare--my eldest son--who was never intended for any profession but the Church--actually broaching all kinds of wild schemes about work, and talking of going to Australia, or taking a laborer’s hod, or any other wild thing he can think of; it is enough to break my heart!” “Then do you mean that Maurice intends to throw up his fellowship, and marry?” said I, thinking this too good news to be true. Mrs. Harley shook her head.