r even to be an
acknowledged critic of light literature, or a leader of fashion. Higher
ends even than to be at the head of the State or a leader of its
armies. There was enough natural nobleness in Betty to understand Pitt,
at least in a degree, and to be mightily attracted by all this. And his
temper was so fine, his manners so pleasant, his tender deference to
his mother so beautiful. Ah, such a man's wife would be well sheltered
from some of the harshest winds that blow in the face of human nature!
Even if he were a little fanatical, it was a fanaticism which Betty
half hoped, half inconsistently feared, would fade away with time. He
had stayed just long enough to kindle a tire in her heart, which now
she could not with a blow or a breath extinguish; not long enough for
the fire to catch any loose tinder lying about on the outskirts of his.
Pitt rode away heart-whole, she was obliged to confess to herself, so
far, at least, as she was concerned; and Betty had nothing to do now
but to feel how that fire bit her, and to stifle the smoke of it. Mrs.
Dallas was a woman and a mother, and she saw what Betty would not have
had her see for any money.

'_I_ think Pitt was taken with her,' she said to her husband, as one
seeks to strengthen a faint belief by putting it into words.

'He is taken with nothing but his own obstinacy!' growled Mr. Dallas.

'His obstinacy never troubled you,' said the mother. 'Pitt was always
like that, but never for anything bad.'

'It's for something foolish, then; and that will do as well.'

'Did you sound him?'

'Yes!'

'And what did he say?'

'Said he must see Esther Gainsborough first, confound him!'

'Esther Gainsborough! But he tried and could not find them.'

'He will try on the other side now. He'll waste his time running all
over England to discover the family place; and then he will know that
there is more looking to be done in America.'

'And he talked of coming over next year! Husband, he must not come. We
must go over there.'

'Next summer. Yes, that is the only thing to do.'

'And we will take Betty Frere along with us.'

Mrs. Dallas said nothing of this scheme at present to the young lady,
though it comforted herself. Perhaps it would have comforted Betty too,
whose hopes rested on the very faint possibility of another summer's
gathering at Seaforth. That was a very doubtful possibility; the hope
built upon it was vaporously unsubstantial. She debated with herself