and see what can be done."

"You will not prevail with him, ma'am, I am afraid. If Mr Grey speaks
in vain (as I know he has done), it is not likely that any one else will
have any influence over him. No, no; the wilful must be left to their
own devices. Whatever you do, ma'am, do not speak to the bride about
it, or there is no knowing what you may bring upon yourself."

"What could I bring upon myself, my dear?"

"Oh, those who do not see the vixen in that pretty face of hers, have
not such good eyes as she has herself. For God's sake, ma'am, do not
offend her!"

Mrs Enderby was now full of concern; and being as unhappy as she could
be made for the present, her daughter took her leave. The old lady
looked into the fire and sighed, for some minutes after she was left
alone. When Phoebe re-entered, her mistress declared that she felt
quite tired out, and must lie down. Before she closed her eyes, she
raised her head again, and said--

"Phoebe, I am surprised at you--"

"Oh, ma'am, you mean about my taking the liberty to make a sign to you.
But, ma'am, I trust you will excuse it, because I am sure Mr Hope would
have no objection to your seeing Mrs Grey; and, to my thought, there is
no occasion to consult with anybody else; and I have no doubt Mrs Grey
will be calling again some day soon, just at a time when you are fit to
see her. Is not there any book, or anything, ma'am, that I could be
carrying over to Mrs Grey's while you are resting yourself, ma'am?"

"Ah! do so, Phoebe. Carry that book,--it is not quite due, but that
does not signify; carry that book over, and give my regards, and beg to
know how Mrs Grey and all the family are. And if Mrs Grey _should_
come in this evening," she continued, in excuse to herself for her
devices, "I shall be able to find out, in a quiet way, where she gets
her arrowroot; and Priscilla will be glad to know."

Whatever it might be that Phoebe said to Alice, and that brought Mrs
Grey out into the hall to speak herself to Phoebe, the result was that
Mrs Grey's lantern was ordered as soon as it grew dark, and that she
arrived in Mrs Enderby's apartment just as the old lady had waked from
her doze, and while the few tears that had escaped from under her
eyelids before she slept were yet scarcely dried upon her cheeks.

CHAPTER NINETEEN.

HOME AT "THE HOPES'."

The evil consequences of Mr Hope's voting for Lowry had not been
exaggerated in the anticipations of his f