The best match in the town!

Grizel, like most other matrons, heard the news outside the grocer's
shop in the High Street. The night before Martin had sighed over the
grocer's bill, and that sigh had sent his wife speeding out of the house
by eleven o'clock the next morning, fired with determination to become a
model housekeeper forthwith, and deliver her own orders in person.
Interviewed before starting, Cook acknowledged that Robson's _was_ high,
but had no further explanation to offer than that "it _did_ run up!"
The young man called every morning, and there was always "Something,"
but Chumley matrons had repeatedly warned Grizel that that young man
should _not_ call. It was death and destruction to let cooks order at
the door. Orders should be given in the shop, and delivered later in
the van. Grizel had hesitated, and advanced a counter-plea.

"But the van-man is quite old, and Orders is such an attractive youth.
It's hard on poor Cook!" But now Martin had frowned, and the lines had
showed in his forehead, and she could have found it in her heart to
imprison Cook in a nunnery for life.

Mr Robson, senior, hurried forward to attend in person to a customer of
distinction, and took advantage of the occasion to direct her attention
to a number of new and delectable goods, positively the latest things on
the market. Fruits preserved whole, and so cleverly as to be hardly
distinguishable from fresh; glass shapes of rare and costly edibles, all
ready for the table; sauces, condiments, appetising novelties in
biscuits. Grizel displayed the liveliest interest, tasted, with relish,
whenever a taste was practicable, and ordered half-dozens of each
novelty in turn. Mr Robson pointed out that there was a reduction upon
taking half a dozen, and Grizel had set her heart on reduction. The
size of the bill gave her a disagreeable shock, however, and she left
the shop feeling decidedly crestfallen, to fall into the arms of Mrs
Gardiner and Mrs Evans, who were standing just outside.

The sight of Mrs Beverley emerging from a provision store, like any
ordinary prosaic housekeeper, was surprising enough to put the subject
of the latest engagement into the background while the good ladies
greeted her, and stealthily examined the details of her toilette.

"Good morning, Mrs Beverley. It is a surprise to see _you_ here! No
need to ask how you are.--You look the picture of health."

"I'm not really. I'm bowed low with care