"Then, talk to her yourself, Sir John. I am quite overpowered by the surprise. I was so certain Boscawen admired Anna Maria; but since he has the bad taste to prefer Isabel, she ought not to demur an instant. Boscawen is very rich, and I dare say he will act very handsomely as to settlements. When old men marry young wives, they ought to pay for the distinction. Isabel will be very foolish if she declines him." Anna Maria at this moment appeared at the door, and Lady Wetheral's ideas excursed at the sight of her beautiful daughter, still so admired, yet unsought. "Well, my dear, I am glad you are come at this moment; here is Mr. Boscawen proposing for Isabel, and no one asks for you: I can't understand it. Perhaps, my love, if _you_ chatted a _little_ more--but you must 'take' in time. Old Boscawen is no great things, only he is so rich; there is no saying when Isabel may be a gay widow." "Does my sister accept Mr. Boscawen?" asked Anna Maria, in dulcet tones, without replying to her mother's hints. "She will do so, if she has common sense; but we have sent for her. Your father is to talk to her." Isabel obeyed the summons, which prayed for her appearance in Lady Wetheral's _boudoir_. She entered laughing. "I am sure I know the reason of your summons, papa. Mr. Boscawen has written to you." "And you will not be so mad as to refuse such an excellent establishment," cried her mother, earnestly. "Stay, Gertrude; I will not allow Isabel to be influenced." "He can make any settlement you please, Isabel," continued her mother. "Gertrude----" "He is old and ugly, Isabel"--Lady Wetheral rose unconsciously from the sofa in her energy, perfectly deaf to her husband's call to order--"he is old and ugly; but no girl in her senses would refuse such an establishment. You cannot stake a handsome face against a fortune, which will purchase all a woman prizes most. You will be respectable and enviable, for you will command every thing that is covetable in this world!" Sir John was distressed and indignant at the sentiment conveyed in his lady's discourse; but he knew it was vain to contend with a mind anchored upon the world. He turned to Isabel. "I wish to know, my love, if Mr. Boscawen's offer is disagreeable to you. If you reject his suit, _I_ will take care he shall not offend again." Lady Wetheral fixed her eyes with intense anxiety upon Isabel, who promptly replied the offer had been made with her knowledge and concurrence. "My dear Isabel, I thought you would not overlook such advantages," cried her ladyship, embracing her daughter with unfeigned delight. "Isabel," said her father, "you wish to marry Mr. Boscawen?" "Indeed, papa, I do." "You wish to quit your home, my love, and live altogether with Mr. Boscawen?" "Yes, indeed, I do, papa." "Are you aware, Isabel, that in marrying Mr. Boscawen you must become steady and obedient, and submit to his wishes and views?" "Perfectly, papa."