but in active social life she did not compete
with Clary. Patience stood as a statue on a pedestal, by no means
unobserved and ignored; beautiful in form, but colourless. Newton, as
he looked at the three, wondered that a man so quiet and gentle as
the young parson should have chosen such a love as Clary Underwood.
He remained half the day at the villa, dining there at the invitation
of Sir Thomas. "My last dinner," said Sir Thomas, "unless I am lucky
enough to be rejected. Men when they are canvassing never dine;--and
not often after they're elected."

The guest had not much opportunity of ingratiating himself specially
with the beauty; but the beauty did so far ingratiate herself with
him,--unconsciously on her part,--that he half resolved that should
his father be successful in his present enterprise, he would ask Mary
Bonner to be the Queen of Newton Priory. His father had often urged
him to marry,--never suggesting that any other quality beyond good
looks would be required in his son's wife. He had never spoken of
money, or birth, or name. "I have an idea," he had said, laughing,
"that you'll marry a fright some day. I own I should like to have a
pretty woman about the house. One doesn't expect much from a woman,
but she is bound to be pretty." This woman was at any rate pretty.
Pretty, indeed! Was it possible that any woman should be framed more
lovely than this one? But he must bide his time. He would not ask any
girl to marry him till he should know what position he could ask her
to fill. But though he spoke little to Mary, he treated her as men do
treat women whom they desire to be allowed to love. There was a tone
in his voice, a worship in his eye, and a flush upon his face, and a
hesitation in his manner, which told the story, at any rate to one
of the party there. "He didn't come to bring you the ferns," said
Clarissa to Patience.

"He brought them for all of us," said Patience.

"Young men don't go about with ferns for the sake of the ferns," said
Clary. "They were merely an excuse to come and see Mary."

"Why shouldn't he come and see Mary?"

"He has my leave, Patty. I think it would be excellent. Isn't it odd
that there should be two Ralph Newtons. One would be Mrs. Newton and
the other Mrs. Ralph."

"Clarissa, Clarissa!" said Patience, almost in a tone of agony.

"I'll be a hypocrite if you choose, Patty," said Clarissa, "or I'll
be true. But you can't have me both at once." Patience said nothin