ue that it is proper for her to receive the attention of another
admirer. If she refuses Smithers, then I can see no objection to her
favouring the suit of our neighbour; but until then it were only madness
to give Ferguson any encouragement. I shall warn him of his danger at
once, and again request you to maintain silence to Eleanor on the
subject."

"For my part," persisted the lady, "I don't think Smithers is entitled
to such consideration: he rarely or never visits Eleanor; he shows her
no attention; and takes it for granted his claims are indisputable, and
that she is ready to accept him whenever it is his convenience to take
her. If Eleanor had the slightest spirit in her nature she would scorn
such a man; and I think it is entirely a false notion of rectitude that
makes her adhere to the engagement."

"It may be in opposition to her happiness, my dear," replied her
husband, "but it cannot be a false notion of rectitude, as you call it;
it is rather rectitude in the strictest sense. She has been induced to
accept Mr. Smithers, and to ratify it on more than one occasion;
consequently, it is not for us to judge, whether she will be happy or
not in such a connexion, but to leave her to her own free will and
judgment; therefore, I say again, while this engagement exists, it is
not right to allow young Ferguson to imagine he has any chance of
acceptance."

"But I know he would not be refused," replied Mrs. Rainsfield.

"Dear me!" exclaimed the husband, "it is wonderful how you women will
persevere in a cause that you interest yourselves in. There is no use in
your reiterating that expression, however; for I tell you again, that
John Ferguson must be cautioned against allowing himself to be carried
away by his feelings; and I am confident, that when I point out to him
the nature of his position, his good sense will enable him to see its
untenableness, and cause him to desist from any pointed attentions."

Mrs. Rainsfield was a dutiful wife, and, however much against her own
inclinations, she submitted to her husband's wishes; though she left his
presence grieved and disappointed. She well knew that a match between
Eleanor and Smithers would prove unhappy; while she was as fully certain
that a union with John Ferguson would be as felicitous as any human
connexion could be. We will not say that the spirit of match-making,
inherent in the nature of all matrons, was wounded at its defeat;
although she certainly cherish