"Ah, but a very special motive--a _matrimonial_ motive. There, granny!" Mrs. Dobbs looked down with a singular expression at the shining brown hair so near to her hand which rested on the elbow of her easy-chair. But she did not caress it as she habitually did when within reach. She sat quite still, and merely said-- "So you think it surprising that Mr. Bragg should have matrimonial intentions, do you?" "Oh no. It isn't _that_. Mr. Bragg is a very kind-hearted man, and would be sure to make a good husband. And, do you know, he is very far from stupid, granny." "I dare say. Joshua Bragg always had his head screwed on the right way." "His manner is against him. Of course, he is uneducated; and rather slow. But, after all, that doesn't matter so very much." "And he's rich," added Mrs. Dobbs in a dry tone. "Ever so rich! I am sure he must have heaps and heaps of money, or else Aunt Pauline would not approve of him so highly." "And not quite decrepit." "Decrepit! What a word to use, granny! No; I should think not, indeed!" "H'm! Neither a brute, nor in his dotage; and immensely rich--I don't know what a woman can wish for more!" said Mrs. Dobbs, with increasing bitterness. "Why, granny!" exclaimed May, looking up. "I thought you rather liked Mr. Bragg! I have always heard you speak well of him." The hand on the chair-arm clenched and unclenched itself nervously, as Mrs. Dobbs answered in short, jerky sentences, and as though she were forcing herself with an effort to utter them, "Oh, so I do. Joshua Bragg is an honest kind of man. I've nothing against him. Don't think that, my lass." "Well, granny, but now for the surprise. I wonder you have not guessed it by this time. Who do you think is the lady?" "I can't guess. Tell it out, May, and have done with it." "To be sure there is not much choice. If it were not one, it _must_ be the other! But I have made up my mind that Mr. Bragg and Miss Patty will make a match of it! What do you say to _that_, granny?" Mrs. Dobbs said nothing; but gasped, and laid her head back on the cushion of her chair. "I thought you would be surprised! But when one comes to think of it, it seems very suitable, doesn't it? Mr. Bragg admires Miss Patty's cookery above everything. And she is such a kind, charitable soul, she would do worlds of good with riches. And they agree on so many points--even their crotchets. And, do you know, Miss Patty would look ten years younger if she would leave off that yellow wig. She has such nice soft grey hair that she brushes back! I have settled that she is to leave off the wig when she marries Mr. Bragg, and take to picturesque mob caps. I have been arranging all sorts of things in my own mind. I'm quite coming out in the character of a matchmaker, granny!"