ore riding. I don't like to
disappoint you; but if you really wouldn't mind it--"

"Well, I should mind it,--and I should not. But let me tell you. You
must not think that I am so very changeable, first pressing you to go
one way, and then begging you to go another, without a reason."

"No; I know you do it for my sake."

"Not that either, aunt--quite; but do listen. Mr. Bertram to-day
made--"

"He has not offered to you, has he?"

"Yes, aunt; that is just what he has done. And, therefore, perhaps it
will not be quite so well that we should travel together."

"But, Caroline, tell me--pray do tell me; what did he say, and what
have you said? Oh dear me, this is very sudden." And Miss Baker
sat back in her chair, with her now grayish hair hanging over her
shoulders, with her hair-brush still held in one hand, and with the
other resting on the toilet-table.

"As for what he said, I may skip that, aunt. It was the old story, I
suppose, merely signifying that he wanted me to marry him."

"Well, well."

"As you truly say, aunt; it was too sudden. Mr. Bertram has a great
deal to recommend him; a very great deal; one cannot but like him. He
is very clever too."

"Yes, Caroline; and will be his uncle's heir--doubtless."

"I know nothing of that; to tell the truth, indeed, I never thought
of that. But it would have made no difference."

"And you refused him."

"Well, I hardly know. I do know this--that I did more towards
refusing him than accepting him; that I must have much more love for
any man I do marry than I have for him at present; and that after
what has passed, I think we had better not go to Damascus together."

To this latter proposition aunt Mary fully agreed; and thus it was
decided that the extra patching for the longer journey need not be
accomplished. Miss Baker would explain the matter to Sir Lionel in
her way; and Caroline would do the same to George Bertram in hers. On
one other point, also, Miss Baker made up her mind fully; though on
this matter she did not think it prudent to make her mind known to
her niece. She was very confident that the marriage would take place,
and resolved to do all in her power to bring it about. Personally,
she was fond of George Bertram; she admired his talents, she liked
his father, and felt very favourably inclined towards his uncle's
wealth. She finished her toilet therefore in calm happiness. She had
an excellent match in view for her niece--and, after all, sh