“Well, speaking for myself, Charlie,” said my aunt, inclining her head forward, and addressing me in her most confidential manner, “I may tell you, you are welcome to my consent, if you can succeed in making her love you.” Delighted as I was, I couldn’t be amazed; for you must remember that Conny had told me of her mother’s wishes the evening before. “I have not yet expressed my wishes to my husband,” she continued, “as I prefer to wait until you and Conny have settled it between you. But I do not doubt that he would be as gratified as myself by the union of his child with the son of his favourite brother.” “He’s amiable and good enough to consent to anything that would give happiness,” said I. “He is, indeed.” “As to my father,” I continued, “it would delight him to hear that I was to be married to Conny. He is a great advocate for marriages between cousins. He considers that the dignity of a family can only be sustained and transmitted by the union of relations.” “Providing there is no madness.” “Oh, of course. Don’t you agree with him?” “Entirely. But what do you yourself think of Conny? does she seem fond of you?” “She gave me leave to hope.” “I am glad to hear that. And now, as you are in love, you can be jealous; and will therefore be able to tell me if you think her affections are engaged elsewhere.” “That is a most uncomfortable suggestion,” I answered, uneasily. “Do you think she cares about Mr. Curling?” “I have tried to find out--and were I not in love with her, I should say, No. But the mere idea makes me jealous, and suspicious.” “I used to think that she was attached to that man,” said my aunt, “and so took the bull by the horns, by ceasing to invite him to see us. But I really believe now, that what little nonsense there was between them, is at an end. It is impossible to suppose that a child of mine could continue to care about so insignificant a person; and certainly, since your arrival, I have had no cause whatever to suspect that she any longer thinks about him. If she has given you encouragement, I am satisfied. Conny is an honest girl, and would not dream of accepting one man’s attention, while her heart was secretly given to another.” Here the subject of our conversation entered the room, and drove us to talk of something else.