"I don't know what you call bullying, my good sir; but she appears to me to be a very affectionate mother; and as to her being foolish--about it--I can't perceive it; on the contrary, I've conversed with her a good deal--and things--and I've found her very superior indeed to any young woman I can recollect having talked to. She takes an interest in things which don't interest or--or--interest other young persons; and she likes to be instructed about affairs--and, my dear Cleve, I think where a young person of merit--either rightly or wrongly interpreting what she conceives to be your attentions--becomes decidedly _épris_ of you, she ought to be--a--_considered_--her feelings, and things; and I thought I might as well mention my views, and go--about it--straight to the point; and I think you will perceive that it is reasonable, and that's the position--about it; and you know, Cleve, in these circumstances you may reckon upon me to do anything in reason that may still lie in my power--about it." "You have always been too kind to me." "You shall find me so still. Lady Wimbledon takes an interest in you, and Miss Caroline Oldys will, I undertake to say, more and more decidedly as she comes to know you better." And so saying, Lord Verney leaned back in the brougham as if taking a doze, and after about five minutes of closed eyes and silence he suddenly wakened up and said-- "It is, in fact, it strikes me, high time, Cleve, you should marry--about it--and you must have money, too; you want money, and you shall have it." "I'm afraid money is not one of _Caroline's_ strong points." "You need not trouble yourself upon that point, sir; if _I_'m satisfied I fancy _you_ may. I've quite enough for both, I presume; and--and so, we'll let that matter rest." And the noble lord let himself rest also, leaning stiffly back with closed eyes, and nodding and swaying silently with the motion of the carriage. I believe he was only ruminating after his manner in these periods of apparent repose. He opened his eyes again, and remarked-- "I have talked over this affair carefully with Mr. Larkin--a most judicious and worthy person--about it--and you can talk to him, and so on, when he comes to town, and I should rather wish you to do so." Lord Verney relapsed into silence and the semblance, at least, of slumber. "So Larkin's at the bottom of it; I knew he was," thought Cleve, with a pang of hatred which augured ill for the future prospects of that good man. "He has made this alliance for the Oldys and Wimbledon faction, and I'm Mr. _Larkin's parti_, and am to settle the management of everything upon him; and what a judicious diplomatist he is--and how he has put his foot in it. A blundering hypocritical coxcomb--D--n him."