“You are the oddest creature in the world, Mary Hill. Consult me! when the carriage is nearly at the door, and all my things to pack. _C’est fini_ at last, Felicie--_Fermez le_ bonnet-box, too, and give me my keys. Well, what is it, Mary? You don’t speak.” “I can’t tell you before anybody,” said Mary in a low voice. “I’ve got a letter----” “Oh, you’ve got a letter! I can’t send Felicie away, because there are so many little things to do--but she doesn’t count. I say all sorts of things before her. Is it from one of the boys?” “No, Letitia. Oh, please, a moment--it’s very important.” “It’s from Ralph, and he’s asked you to marry him? I never thought he was such a fool. And I hope you’re not going to be a fool to snap at him--with not a penny between you,” Letitia added, growing red. “That’s all the advice I am going to give. You’re old enough to judge for yourself--but neither you nor he must look for anything from us. Neither money nor influence--we shall do nothing for you--nothing! You may as well know that from the first.” Mary had been white and trembling with agitation; now she turned red with one of those sudden fits of exasperation which attack even the mildest. To have this said to her before the waiting maid, who concealed a smile and a look of intelligence which had flashed into her eyes under a demure gravity, was enough to have upset the temper of a saint. “It is not from Ralph,” she said very quietly. “Oh, it’s not from Ralph. Well, that’s a very good thing. Felicie, _attachez les_ straps--or leave them for Robert to do, if you like--and bring me my cloak. Well, so it is not from Ralph, Mary? Then who is it from? It’s a proposal one can see from your face. Take it whoever it comes from, Mary. You haven’t time, my dear, to pick and choose.” “You will let me speak to you in your room, Letitia?” “There’s no time,” said Mrs. Parke. “Felicie, _mon chapeau_, and my gloves. There’s the carriage. I’ve only one piece of advice, Mary--take it if it’s a decent offer. You can’t expect to get many more at your age.” “It is more than a decent offer. Oh, Letitia, it is from an old gentleman, one much older, and far above me.” “Did you expect a young one?” said Mrs. Parke. “I think you would be very, very silly to stand upon that. I know who it is. It is old Dr. Hilton; and just an excellent match--an admirable match--the very thing I should have wished for you. Old! I hope you are not such a fool as to think of that! Think of your father and mother, and the use you might be to them. And as for far above you, why you’re a clergyman’s daughter, you are in the same rank in life. Mary, mind what I say to you. Don’t be a fool.” “But it’s not Dr. Hilton. Oh Letitia, only a moment! I must speak to you.”