"My dear, I wish you would tell Flora that she ought to be a little more sober now," said Mrs. Ennerdale, appealing to me with motherly consequence, and a look half of raillery, half of anxiety; "she will mind you when she will not mind me, and she ought to be sober, and think of what's before her now; do you not think so, Mrs. Southcote?" "Oh, Mamma!" cried Flora, springing out from the window; we both looked after her light, bounding figure as she ran across the lawn towards Alice. "I know she told you all about it," said the good-humored Mrs. Ennerdale; "don't you think she is too young to be married? to fancy that such a child would even think of it! but indeed I've taken great pains with Flora, and she is the eldest of the family, and knows a great deal about housekeeping, and I really believe will make a very good little wife; though marriage is a sad lottery, my dear," said the good lady sympathetically, shaking her head and looking into my face. I turned away my head, and felt my cheeks burn; first I was almost disposed to resent this lottery as an insult, but nothing was further from the thoughts of the speaker than any unkindness to me. It was the first indication I had of what "sympathy" was in such a case as mine, and it stung me bitterly. "My dear," continued Mrs. Ennerdale, drawing close to me, laying her hand upon my shoulder, and lowering her tone; "I am glad that Flora is gone, just that I may say a word to you; I was grieved, of course all your friends must have been, though I don't doubt you thought you had good reason; but, dear, it's far best to make up your mind to everything, and do your duty where Providence has placed you. We are relations, you know, in a way, and you've no mother to advise you; if you ever should have such a plan again, my dear, will you come and speak to me about it? I'm no great wise woman, but I know what life is; will you ask my opinion, dear?" "But I never can, nor will, have such a plan again," I answered rapidly. "That's all the better, my love, all the better," said Mrs. Ennerdale, "but if you should, I'll rely upon your coming to me. Hush, here's Flora, and is that baby? Now are you not proud of him? What a great boy! What a true Southcote! I can't tell whether he's like his papa or you? but I can see he's got the family face."