r he has evidently lost his heart to your
daughter."

"Oh, I don't know that," replied Mrs. Grey, smiling in her turn, but
carelessly, as if it was not a matter of much consequence if Pauline
did break a few hearts more or less.

"There's no doubt about his admiration," continued the lady; "so I
warn you in time, Mrs. Grey."

Mrs. Grey only smiled again. She did not think the warning worth much.
Mr. Wentworth might be in love with Pauline--she dared say he
was--indeed, she had no doubt of it. But what then? She could not be
responsible for all the young men who fell in love with Pauline. It
was very natural; and, to tell the honest truth, it rather pleased
Mrs. Grey to see it. Not that she had the most distant idea that
Pauline could ever feel any interest in any of the young men she with
such quiet complacency thought hopelessly in love with her; but poor
human nature is never weaker than on such subjects, and mothers look
on amused, and may be, indignant with other mothers for allowing such
things, till it comes to their turn, and then maternal vanity speaks
louder than worldly wisdom, or any thing else; and so Mrs. Grey saw
Mr. Wentworth's devotions with a quiet smile, and never thought it
worth while to ask any questions about him. "He would not do," she saw
that at a glance. As to what would, or who would, she had not yet made
up her mind; but as Mr. Wentworth's pretensions did not seem of any
decided stamp at all, she never thought there was any possibility of
his being dangerous.

"I wonder Mrs. Grey allows that young Wentworth to be so attentive to
her daughter," Mrs. Remson said. "He's a dissipated young man, they
say."

"I am sorry to see that wild fellow, Wentworth, so much with that
young beauty, Miss Grey," said another.

"Yes, I am surprised at her parents encouraging it," said a third,
"for they must see it."

"What kind of a young man is he?" asked Mrs. Graham.

"One that I should be sorry to see attentive to a daughter of mine,"
replied a gentleman; but none of this reached Mrs. Grey's ears. No one
told her Mr. Wentworth was wild or dissipated. He was too attentive,
and they might get themselves in trouble, and be obliged to give
authority, &c., for what they said--and what authority had they? a
rumor--a vague report--an impression. Who knew, or ever knows, any
thing more positive about a young man, except, indeed, young men--and
they don't choose to tell.

And so the thing went on, and peo