says The Pilgrim's Scrip. Alas, that in
calamity women cannot stitch! Now that she saw Clare wanted other than
iron, it struck her she must have a husband, and be made secure as a
woman and a wife. This seemed the thing to do: and, as she had forced the
iron down Clare's throat, so she forced the husband, and Clare gulped at
the latter as she had at the former. On the very day that Mrs. Doria had
this new track shaped out before her, John Todhunter called at the
Foreys'. "Old John!" sang out Mrs. Doria, "show him up to me. I want to
see him particularly." He sat with her alone. He was a man multitudes of
women would have married--whom will they not?--and who would have married
any presentable woman: but women do want asking, and John never had the
word. The rape of such men is left to the practical animal. So John sat
alone with his old flame. He had become resigned to her perpetual
lamentation and living Suttee for his defunct rival. But, ha! what meant
those soft glances now--addressed to him? His tailor and his hairdresser
gave youth to John, but they had not the art to bestow upon him
distinction, and an undistinguished man what woman looks at? John was an
indistinguishable man. For that reason he was dry wood to a soft glance.

And now she said: "It is time you should marry; and you are the man to be
the guide and helper of a young woman, John. You are well
preserved--younger than most of the young men of our day. You are
eminently domestic, a good son, and will be a good husband and good
father. Some one you must marry.--What do you think of Clare for a wife
for you?"

At first John Todhunter thought it would be very much like his marrying a
baby. However, he listened to it, and that was enough for Mrs. Doria.

She went down to John's mother, and consulted with her on the propriety
of the scheme of wedding her daughter to John in accordance with his
proposition. Mrs. Todhunter's jealousy of any disturbing force in the
influence she held over her son Mrs. Doria knew to be one of the causes
of John's remaining constant to the impression she had afore-time
produced on him. She spoke so kindly of John, and laid so much stress on
the ingrained obedience and passive disposition of her daughter, that
Mrs. Todhunter was led to admit she did think it almost time John should
be seeking a mate, and that he--all things considered--would hardly find
a fitter one. And this, John Todhunter--old John no more--heard to his
amaze