There was the mother: "Such a nice young man! So
superior! Everything we could have wished! And so much attached!
Speaks so nicely! You are sure there will be no trouble with his
mother?"
"I see no danger of it. I am sure she must love dear little Esther,
and that she would like to see Cecil married."
"Well, you know her! but you know she might look much higher for him,
though the Brownlows are a good old family. Oh, my dear Caroline, I
shall never forget what you have done for us all."
Her Serenity in a flutter was an amusing sight. She was so full of
exultation, and yet had too much propriety to utter the main point of
her hopes, fears, doubts, and gratitude; and she durst not so much as
hazard an inquiry after poor Lord Fordham, lest she should be
suspected of the thought that came uppermost.
However, the Colonel, with whom that possibility was a very secondary
matter, could speak out: "I like the lad; he is a good, simple,
honest fellow, well-principled, and all one could wish. I don't mind
trusting little Essie with him, and he says his brother is sure to
give him quite enough to marry upon, so they'll do very well, even,
if—- How about that affair which was hinted of at Belforest,
Caroline? Will it ever come off?"
"Probably not.
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