, if it be to please
us, that she will do."

"I trust," said Mrs. Lindsay, "she has no previous attachment; for that
would be unfortunate for herself, poor girl."

"She an attachment!" exclaimed her mother; "no, the poor, timid creature
never thought of such a thing."

"It is difficult for parents to know that," replied Mrs. Lindsay; "but
where is she?"

"She's gone out," replied her mother, "to take a pleasant jaunt somewhere
with a young friend of ours, a Mr. O'Connor; but, indeed, I'm glad she
is not here, for if she was, we could not, you know, discuss this matter
in her presence."

"That is very true," observed Mrs. Lindsay, dryly; "but perhaps she
doesn't regret her absence. As it is, I think you ought to impress upon
her that, in the article of marriage, a young and inexperienced girl
like her ought to have no will but that of her parents, who are best
qualified, from their experience and knowledge of life to form and
direct her principles."

"I do not think," said her father, "that there is anything to be
apprehended on her part. She is the most unselfish and disinterested
girl that ever existed, and sooner than give her mother or me a pang, I
am sure she would make any sacrifice; but at the same time," he added,
"if her own happiness were involved in the matter, I should certainly
accept no such sacrifice at her hands."

"As to that, Mr. Goodwin," she replied, "I hope we need calculate upon
nothing on her part but a willing consent and obedience. At all events,
it is but natural that they should be pretty frequently in each other's
society, and that my son should have an opportunity of inspiring her
with good will towards him, if not a still warmer feeling. The matter
being now understood, of course, that is and will be his exclusive
privilege."

"Your observations, my dear madam, are but reasonable and natural,"
replied Goodwin. "Why, indeed, should it be otherwise, considering their
contemplated relation to each other? Of course, we shall be delighted
to see him here as often as he chooses to come, and so, I am sure, will
Alice."

They then separated upon the most cordial terms; and Mrs. Lindsay,
having mounted her vehicle, proceeded on her way home. She was, however,
far from satisfied at the success of her interview with the Goodwins. So
far as the consent of her father and mother went, all was, to be sure,
quite as she could have wished it; but then, as to Alice herself, there
might exist an i