behaviour
these months past. Ever since we were at Brighton. Why how you
encouraged him there!"

A great flush rose to Eleanor's cheeks.

"Mamma,--no more than I encouraged others. Grace given to all is favour
to none."

"Ay, but there was the particular favour in his case of a promise to
marry him."

"Broken off, mamma."

"The world did not know that, and you did not tell them. You rode, you
walked, you talked, you went hither and thither with Mr. Carlisle, and
suffered him to attend you."

"Not alone, mamma; rarely alone."

"Often alone, child; often of evenings. You are alone with a gentleman
in the street, if there is a crowd before and behind you."

"Mamma, all those things that I did, and that I was sorry to do, I
could hardly get out of or get rid of; they were Mr. Carlisle's doing
and yours."

"Granted; and you made them yours by acceptance. Now Eleanor, you are a
good girl; be a sensible girl. You have promised yourself to Mr.
Carlisle in the eye of all the world; now be honest, and don't be shy,
and fulfil your engagements."

"I have made none," said Eleanor getting up and beginning to walk
backwards and forwards in the room. "Mr. Carlisle has been told
distinctly that I do not love him. I will never marry any man whom I
have not a right affection for."

"You did love him once, Eleanor."

"Never! not the least; not one bit of real--Mamma, I _liked_ him, and I
do that now; and then I did not know any better; but I will never, for
I ought never, to marry any man upon mere liking."

"How come you to know any better now?"

Eleanor's blush was beautiful again for a minute; then it faded. She
did not immediately speak.

"Is Mr. Carlisle right after all, and has he a rival?"

"Mamma, you must say what you please. Surely it does not follow that a
woman must love all the world because she does not love one."

"And you may say what you please; I know you like Mr. Carlisle quite
well enough, for you as good as told me so. This is only girl's talk;
but you have got to come to the point, Eleanor. I shall not suffer you
to make a fool of him in my house; not to speak of making a fool of
yourself and me, and ruining--forever ruining--all your prospects. You
can't do it, Eleanor. You have said yea, and you can't draw back. Put
on your green gown and go to Hampton Court, and come back with the day
fixed--for that I know is what Mr. Carlisle wants."

"I cannot go, mamma."

"Eleanor, you would not for