"Thank you, my dear," said Mrs Hampton, beaming, as she threw her gaunt arms about Gertrude, and gave her two sounding kisses. "And now, my dear, goose or no goose, I've watched everything, and I'm going to speak out." "You alarm me, Mrs Hampton." "Yes, that's my way. I always do alarm people most when I want to be kindest. Now look at me: I'm a very unpleasant-looking body, ain't I? and I've got a terrible temper, but do you know Hampton and I have been married forty-three years, and never had an angry word?" "I always knew you were a very happy pair, Mrs Hampton." "And we are, my dear; but, Gertie Bellwood, are you two going to be a happy pair?" "I hope so--oh, I'm sure so!" cried Gertrude, with the tears in her eyes. "I shall try so hard to make him happy." "That settles it." "Mrs Hampton!" "Yes, my dear; that settles it. If you've got to force yourself to be happy, and will have to try so hard, why, it will all be a failure, so give it up." "But Mr Harrington's wishes!" "Bother Mr Harrington's wishes! He was a good eccentric old man, but he didn't know everything. He quarrelled with his son because they were both obstinate, and when he grew older he repented, and made up his mind to do to his grandson what he had omitted to do to his son. He has made him rich, and to make him happy he told you to marry him: but it will not do, my dear--it will not do." "Mrs Hampton!" "I can't help it, my child. Marry in haste and repent at leisure; but you shan't run headlong into misery without Rachel Hampton saying a word of warning." "I feel that it is my duty to the dead," cried Gertrude. "Duty! Ha! Then you love some one else--not that dreadful Saul Harrington?" "Oh, no, Mrs Hampton." "Thank goodness! You gave me quite a turn. Then it's some other young man?" "Indeed, no." "Are you sure? Don't be afraid to confess to me. Yes, you are sure. I can read you like a book. My dear, you don't love anyone else, and you don't love George Harrington." "But I shall--I am sure I shall." "No. You can't grow that plant, my dear. It comes up of itself, like mushrooms. You may get spawn from the best seedsmen, and make a bed and grow some leathery, tasteless things that look like mushrooms, but they're no more like the real thing than your grown love is like the genuine article. No, my dear, it won't do, so take my advice, give up your rich man, and come and live with us till the right one comes." "No, no; I cannot, George Harrington expects me to be his wife, and I shall pray to God to make me all that is true and loving to the man chosen for my husband." "Then I've done my duty that way, so I'm at rest. Now, about something else." "Yes, Mrs Hampton?" said Gertrude in alarm. "Take him in hand, my dear, and try and mould him into a better shape." "Oh, a little mixing with decent society will soon soften all that you notice." "No, it will not, my dear. He drinks too much." Gertrude sighed. "He gambles."