‘Little Mrs. Propriety,’ said Jane, ‘you are already assuming all the dignity of my Aunt Marianne, and William’s Aunt Marianne—oh! and of little Henry’s Great-aunt Marianne. Now,’ she added, laughing, ‘can you guess the secret?’ Marianne stood still in amazement for a moment, and then exclaimed, ‘Jane, Jane! you do not mean it, you are only trying to tease me.’ ‘I am quite serious,’ said Jane. ‘You will see that I am right.’ Here they were interrupted, and as soon as she returned from her walk Marianne, perplexed and amazed, went to her mother, and told her all that Jane had said. ‘How can she be so silly?’ said Mrs. Weston. ‘Then it is all nonsense, as I thought,’ said Marianne, joyfully. ‘I should not like Alethea to marry an old man.’ ‘Mr. Mohun is very unlikely to make himself ridiculous,’ said Mrs. Weston. ‘Do not say anything of it to Alethea; it would only make her uncomfortable.’ ‘If it had been Captain Mohun, now—’ Marianne stopped, and blushed, finding her speech unanswered. A few days after, Mr. Mohun overtook Marianne and her mother, as he was riding home from Raynham, and dismounting, led his horse, and walked on with them. Either not perceiving Marianne, or not caring whether she heard him, he said, ‘Has Miss Weston received the letter she expected?’ ‘No,’ said Mrs. Weston, ‘she thinks, as there is no answer, the family must be gone abroad, and very probably they have taken Miss Aylmer with them; but she has written to another friend to ask about them.’ ‘From all I hear,’ said Mr. Mohun, ‘I should prefer waiting to hear from her, before we make further inquiries; we shall not be ready before midsummer, as I should wish my eldest daughter to assist me in making this important decision.’ ‘In that case,’ said Mrs. Weston, ‘there will be plenty of time to communicate with her. I can see some of the friends of the family when I go to London, for we must not leave Mr. Weston in solitude another spring.’ ‘Perhaps I shall see you there,’ said Mr. Mohun. ‘I have some business in London, and I think I shall meet the Hawkesworths there in May or June.’ After a little more conversation Mr. Mohun took his leave, and as soon as he had ridden on, Marianne said, ‘Oh! mamma, I could not help hearing.’ ‘My dear,’ said Mrs. Weston, ‘I know you may be trusted; but I should not have told you, as you may find such a secret embarrassing when you are with your young friends.’ ‘And so they are to have a governess?’ ‘Yes; and we are trying to find Miss Aylmer for them.’ ‘Miss Aylmer! I am glad of it; how much Phyllis and Ada will like her!’ ‘Yes, it will be very good for them; I wish I knew the Grants’ direction.’ ‘Well, I hope Jane will not question me any more; it will be very difficult to manage, now I know the truth.’ But poor Marianne was not to escape. Jane was on the watch to find her alone, and as soon as an opportunity offered, she began:— ‘Well, auntie, any discoveries?’