int of interest more serious in its
nature than that of a waltz might have been found on which to connect
her daughter's sympathies with those of her future husband. But
any point of interest was better than none; and it is so difficult
to find points of interest in persons who by their nature are not
impulsive.

"Lady Lufton says so, at any rate," continued Mrs. Grantly, ever so
cautiously. "She thinks that Lord Lufton likes no partner better.
What do you think yourself, Griselda?"

"I don't know, mamma."

"But young ladies must think of such things, must they not?"

"Must they, mamma?"

"I suppose they do, don't they? The truth is, Griselda, that Lady
Lufton thinks that if-- Can you guess what it is she thinks?"

"No, mamma." But that was a fib on Griselda's part.

"She thinks that my Griselda would make the best possible wife in the
world for her son: and I think so too. I think that her son will be
a very fortunate man if he can get such a wife. And now what do you
think, Griselda?"

"I don't think anything, mamma." But that would not do. It was
absolutely necessary that she should think, and absolutely necessary
that her mother should tell her so. Such a degree of unimpulsiveness
as this would lead to--Heaven knows what results! Lufton-Grantly
treaties and Hartletop interests would be all thrown away upon a
young lady who would not think anything of a noble suitor sighing
for her smiles. Besides, it was not natural. Griselda, as her mother
knew, had never been a girl of headlong feeling; but still she had
had her likes and her dislikes. In that matter of the bishopric she
was keen enough; and no one could evince a deeper interest in the
subject of a well-made new dress than Griselda Grantly. It was not
possible that she should be indifferent as to her future prospects,
and she must know that those prospects depended mainly on her
marriage. Her mother was almost angry with her, but nevertheless she
went on very gently:

"You don't think anything! But, my darling, you must think. You must
make up your mind what would be your answer if Lord Lufton were to
propose to you. That is what Lady Lufton wishes him to do."

"But he never will, mamma."

"And if he did?"

"But I'm sure he never will. He doesn't think of such a thing at
all--and--and--"

"And what, my dear?"

"I don't know, mamma."

"Surely you can speak out to me, dearest! All I care about is your
happiness. Both Lady Lufton and I think tha