for many years, and it certainly was very kind
of her. But it has been an unfortunate mistake altogether. The poor
girl has for a moment been lifted out of her proper sphere, and,--as
you must have seen yourself,--hardly knew how to behave herself. It
made Mrs. Tappitt very unhappy."

This was more than Luke Rowan was able to bear. His anger was not
against his own mother, but against the mistress of the brewery. It
was manifest that she had been maligning Rachel, and instigating his
mother to take up the cudgels against her. And he was vexed also
that his mother had not perceived that Rachel held, or was entitled
to hold, among women a much higher position than could be fairly
accorded to Mrs. Tappitt. "I do not care one straw for Mrs. Tappitt's
unhappiness," he said; "and as to Miss Ray's conduct at her house, I
do not think that there was anything in it that did not become her.
I do not know what you mean, the least in the world; and I think you
would have no such idea yourself, if Mrs. Tappitt had not put it into
your head."

"You should not speak in that way to your mother, Luke."

"I must speak strongly when I am defending my wife,--as I hope she
will be. I never heard of anything in my life so little as this
woman's conduct! It is mean, paltry jealousy, and nothing else. You,
as my mother, may think it better that I should not marry."

"But, my dear, I want you to marry."

"Then I will do as you want. Or you may think that I should find some
one with money, or with grand friends, or with a better connection.
It is natural that you should think like this. But why should she
want to belittle a young girl like Rachel Ray,--a girl that her own
daughters call their friend? I'll tell you why, mother. Because
Rachel Ray was admired and they were not."

"Is there anybody in Baslehurst that will say that she is your
equal?"

"I am not disposed to ask any one in Baslehurst just at present; and
I would not advise any one in Baslehurst to volunteer an opinion to
me on the subject. I intend that she shall be my equal,--my equal in
every respect, if I can make her so. I shall certainly ask her to
be my wife; and, mother, as my mind is positively made up on that
point,--as nothing on earth will alter me,--I hope you will teach
yourself to think kindly of her. I should be very unhappy if my house
could not be your home when you may choose to make it so."

But Mrs. Rowan, much as she was accustomed to yield to her son,