"Those that want to see me," Mrs. Sanford retorted, in a tone which showed that her temper had been a little shaken by her mishap, "usually come where I am." "Oh, yes!" he said, somewhat confused. "But I wanted to see you without its being known." "You don't mean to leave me anywhere on the road, do you?" she demanded in alarm. "I don't know as it'll hurt your reputation if folks do know you've seen me." "Oh, dear, no! You misunderstand me entirely." "Then, I wish you'd speak plainer." "Why," he said, driven abruptly to the point, "it was about Patty I wanted to speak." "Oh!" Merely writing the interjection indicates but feebly the emotions filling the breast of Mrs. Sanford when she gave it utterance. Like Lady Geraldine's answer,-- "It lies there on the paper, A mere word without her accent." Surprise, gratification, triumph, were commingled in her voice. She laid her plump hands together complacently. The doctor's wife loved her son best, as such women necessarily do; but she was proud of Patty, and particularly anxious that she should marry advantageously. Here, was a bridegroom who could deck her daughter in purple and scarlet, and fine-twined linen. Already in fancy the ladybug mother saw herself riding behind this handsome span of dappled grays, not as a stranger, but with all the rights of a mother-in-law. Hers was one of those vulgar natures which instinctively regarded marriage as a contract wherein a woman brought her charms to market to be disposed of to the highest bidder. She unconsciously rustled and plumed herself like a pigeon in the sun. "I am well enough able to marry," Clarence said; "and my wife would have all her heart would wish." Nature endows weak and sensuous minds with a species of protective instinct, which sometimes serves them as well as the acutest reason. Young Toxteth used the argument which was best calculated to touch the fancy of Mrs. Sanford; and it was so good a choice as to be almost shrewdness, that he had selected that lady as his confidante. In her he found an eager listener, whereas no other member of Dr. Sanford's family would have heard him through his first purseproud remark. "I have been fond of her for a long time," Toxteth continued. "I didn't pay her particular attentions until I was sure of myself, of course." "Very honorable, I'm sure," chirruped Mrs. Sanford,--"very honorable, indeed." "I think she likes me," the suitor continued, the admiring attitude of his listener betraying him into more and more frankness. "She's never said so; but I'm sure I don't see why she shouldn't like me, and she naturally wouldn't speak until I did." "Oh, dear me, no!" acquiesced the gratified mother. "Naturally not."