"Then," said Magdalen, "there's another side of the matter to be considered. What if Bessie should set her heart on some one of whom you would not approve?" Old Anthony laughed mockingly. "Not much chance of that I reckon." "Do you reckon?" asked his sister, with some heat. "Yes, you men make up your minds that we spinsters have no hearts, go through no trials, because you do not see them. As our love is not proclaimed on the house-tops you assume that it does not exist in the secret chambers of the heart. If you are forced to admit that there is such a thing in us, you suppose it may be killed with ridicule, as you put salt on weeds. As for your own headlong, turbulent passions, they brook no control, they are irresistible, but we poor women must smother our fires as if always illicit, like a chimney in a blaze that must be choked out with damp straw stuffed in. You men never consider us. You permit a pretty girl to love, and you consider her feelings somewhat--just somewhat; but it never occurs to your wise heads, but shallow thoughts, that the plain faces and the ordinary-favoured girls may have hearts as tender and susceptible as those who are regarded as beauties. Now, as to Bessie----" "Well, what as to Bessie?" asked Anthony roughly. He knew that his sister was lightly lifting the corner of a veil that covered her past, and he knew how that by a little generosity on his part, he might have made it possible for her to marry. "As to Bessie?" resumed Magdalen. "I can only speak what I suspect. I have thought for some time she was fond of her cousin." "What--of Luke?" "Of Luke, certainly." Old Anthony turned angrily on her, and said, "A pack of folly! He is her cousin." "I said so. Does that prevent her liking him? Have you aught against that?" "Everything. I will not hear of her marrying a pigeon-breasted, starveling curate. I will speak to her." "If you meddle you will mar. Take a woman's advice, and say not a word." "Then be silent, on this matter." "If you marry Tony," said his sister, "what are you going to do with Elizabeth? Fernando Crymes has Kilworthy for his life, so that the young people will, I doubt not, live here; and Julian will no more let Bessie remain than would your Margaret suffer me." "She shall abide here as I choose it." "No, indeed. You may will it; but women's wishes, when they go contrary, can make a bad storm in the house, and spoil it as a port of peace. You take my counsel and mate the twain together--the one to Julian and the other to Fox." "Pshaw!" said the old man turning away from the window. "Because I was godfather to Fox, it does not follow that he wants to be my son." Then the old man came over to the table that stood near his sister, seated himself, and began to trifle with a snuff-box upon it. "I shall not part with Bess," he said, "till Tony is matched."