ce ready. I am sure our
folks will be delighted to have her company. Eleanor will be a very
suitable companion for her; and I am sure she will be an acquisition to
Eleanor, who sadly wants a lively companion of her own age. I am
confident your sister would dispel much of our cousin's settled
melancholy, and make her see the sacrifice she is contemplating."

"I have no doubt the girls would suit each other admirably," replied
John; "and if I think myself justified in asking my sister, and she can
be persuaded to come out here, I doubt not they will soon become
friends; but may I ask to what you allude by your cousin's sacrifice?"

"Simply marriage to one to whom she considers herself engaged," said
Tom, "while, in my opinion, it is perfect folly; she is absolutely
throwing herself away. I cannot bring myself to think she entertains any
liking for the man, for I don't believe any intellectual woman could
discover anything in him worthy of esteem. You are acquainted with him,
though no doubt his character is better known to me than to you, for I
have had more opportunities of observing it. It is Bob Smithers; and
she has consented to marry him through the importunities of his
sister-in-law. It appears Mrs. Smithers was an intimate friend of
Eleanor's mother, and used to joke Eleanor about Bob; who, when a
younger man, and when my cousin was a mere child, used to be
particularly attentive to her; so, amongst them, a match was made up
between the two. Since then Eleanor has seen very little of her
betrothed; but his assiduous advocate, his sister-in-law, has continued
to press his suit; and obtained from Eleanor a renewal of her pledge. In
fact, the poor girl has been absolutely cajoled into an acceptance, as
much from an ignorance of Bob's character, and a desire to gratify her
mother's friend, as from any feelings of her own. I will do Mrs.
Smithers the justice to say, I believe she does not know the extent of
her brother-in-law's vileness; and that what she considers his little
weaknesses, will be effectually rectified by a union with our Eleanor;
but I don't like to see the poor girl sacrificed, and have a good mind
to save her (if she would take me) by proposing to her myself; though I
believe she thinks her word irrevocable, and will submit to Bob's claim
as the fulfilment of a duty. I believe Smithers intends pushing his suit
shortly himself; for when he disposes of another block or two of his
country, he intends sto