complacency was at an end. Olivia Proudie had just accepted
a widowed preacher at a district church in Bethnal Green--a man with
three children, who was dependent on pew-rents; and Griselda Grantly
was engaged to the eldest son of the Marquess of Hartletop! When
women are enjoined to forgive their enemies it cannot be intended
that such wrongs as these should be included. But Mrs. Proudie's
courage was nothing daunted. It may be boasted of her that nothing
could daunt her courage. Soon after her return to Barchester, she and
Olivia--Olivia being very unwilling--had driven over to Plumstead,
and, not finding the Grantlys at home, had left their cards; and now,
at a proper interval, Mrs. Grantly and Griselda returned the visit.
It was the first time that Miss Grantly had been seen by the Proudie
ladies since the fact of her engagement had become known.

The first bevy of compliments that passed might be likened to a crowd
of flowers on a hedge rose-bush. They were beautiful to the eye, but
were so closely environed by thorns that they could not be plucked
without great danger. As long as the compliments were allowed to
remain on the hedge--while no attempt was made to garner them and
realize their fruits for enjoyment--they did no mischief; but the
first finger that was put forth for such a purpose was soon drawn
back, marked with spots of blood. "Of course it is a great match for
Griselda," said Mrs. Grantly, in a whisper the meekness of which
would have disarmed an enemy whose weapons were less firmly clutched
than those of Mrs. Proudie; "but, independently of that, the
connexion is one which is gratifying in many ways."

"Oh, no doubt," said Mrs. Proudie.

"Lord Dumbello is so completely his own master," continued Mrs.
Grantly, and a slight, unintended semi-tone of triumph mingled itself
with the meekness of that whisper.

"And is likely to remain so, from all I hear," said Mrs. Proudie, and
the scratched hand was at once drawn back.

"Of course the estab--," and then Mrs. Proudie, who was blandly
continuing her list of congratulations, whispered her sentence close
into the car of Mrs. Grantly, so that not a word of what she said
might be audible by the young people.

"I never heard a word of it," said Mrs. Grantly, gathering herself
up, "and I don't believe it."

"Oh, I may be wrong; and I'm sure I hope so. But young men will be
young men, you know;--and children will take after their parents.
I suppose you