sett--I know I was little better than a thief; but
it was only a tippet to you, and to me it was much more. Ah! Lady
Bassett, I have loved your darling boy ever since; you can't wonder,
you are a mother;" and, turning suddenly on Ruperta, "why do you keep
saying he is only a boy? If he was man enough to do that at seven years
of age, he must have a manly heart. No; I couldn't bear the sight of
any other son-in-law; and when you are a mother you'll understand many
things, and, for one, you'll--under--stand--why I'm so--fool--ish;
seeing the sweet boy's mother ready--to cry--too--oh! oh! oh!"

Lady Bassett held out her arms to her, and the mothers had a sweet cry
together in each other's arms.

Ruperta's eyes were wet at this; but she told her mother she ought not
to agitate Lady Bassett, and she so ill.

"And that is true, my good, sensible girl," said Mrs. Bassett; "but it
has lain in my heart these nine years, and I could not keep it to
myself any longer. But you are a beauty and a spoiled child, and so I
suppose you think nothing of his giving you his tippet to keep you
warm."

"Don't say that, mamma," said Ruperta, reproachfully. "I spoke to dear
Compton about it not long ago. He had forgotten all about it, even."

"All the more to his credit; but don't you ever forget it, my own
girl."

"I never will, mamma."

By degrees the three became so unreserved that Ruperta was gently urged
to declare her real sentiments.

By this time the young beauty was quite cured of her fear lest she
should be an unwelcome daughter-in-law; but there was an obstacle in
her own mind. She was a frank, courageous girl; but this appeal tried
her hard.

She blushed, fixed her eyes steadily on the ground, and said, pretty
firmly and very slowly, "I had always a great affection for my cousin
Compton; and so I have now. But I am not in love with him. He is but a
boy; now I--"

A glance at the large mirror, and a superb smile of beauty and
conscious womanhood, completed the sentence.

"He will get older every day," said Mrs. Bassett.

"And so shall I."

"But you will not look older, and he will. You have come to your full
growth. He hasn't."

"I agree with the dear girl," said Lady Bassett, adroitly. "Compton,
with his fair hair, looks so young, it would be ridiculous at present.
But it is possible to be engaged, and wait a proper time for marriage;
what I fear is, lest you should be tempted by some other offer. To
speak plainl