e self-asserting supremacy,
still with fitting courtesy. Mrs. Ray hoped that Mrs. Tappitt and
the young ladies were quite well, and then there was a short silence,
very oppressive to Mrs. Ray, but refreshing rather than otherwise to
Mrs. Rowan. It gave a proper business aspect to the visit, and paved
the way for serious words.

"Miss Rachel is out, I suppose," said Mrs. Tappitt.

"Yes, she is out," said Mrs. Ray. "But she's about the place
somewhere, if you want to see her." This she added in her weakness,
not knowing how she was to sustain the weight of such an interview
alone.

"Perhaps it is as well that she should be away just at present," said
Mrs. Rowan, firmly but mildly.

"Quite as well," said Mrs. Tappitt, as firmly, but less mildly.

"Because we wish to say a few words to you, Mrs. Ray," said Mrs.
Rowan.

"That is what has brought us out so early," said Mrs. Tappitt. It
was only half-past two now, and company visiting was never done at
Baslehurst till after three. "We want to say a few words to you, Mrs.
Ray, about a very serious matter. I'm sure you know how glad I've
always been to see Rachel with my girls, and I had her at our party
the other night, you know. It isn't likely therefore that I should be
disposed to say anything unkind about her."

"At any rate not to me, I hope," said Mrs. Ray.

"Not to anybody. Indeed I'm not given to say unkind things about
people. No one in Baslehurst would give me that character. But the
fact is, Mrs. Ray--"

"Perhaps, Mrs. Tappitt, you'll allow me," said Mrs. Rowan. "He's my
son."

"Oh, yes, certainly;--that is, if you wish it," said Mrs. Tappitt,
drawing herself up in her chair; "but I thought that perhaps, as I
knew Miss Ray so well--"

"If you don't mind, Mrs. Tappitt--" and Mrs. Rowan, as she again took
the words out of her friend's mouth, smiled upon her with a smile of
great efficacy.

"Oh, dear, certainly not," said Mrs. Tappitt, acknowledging by her
concession the superiority of Mrs. Rowan's nature.

"I believe you are aware, Mrs. Ray," said Mrs. Rowan, "that Mr. Luke
Rowan is my son."

"Yes, I'm aware of that."

"And I'm afraid you must be aware also that there have been
some,--some,--some talkings as it were, between him and your
daughter."

"Oh, yes. The truth is, ma'am, that he has offered himself to my
girl, and that she has accepted him. Whether it's for good or for
bad, the open truth is the best, Mrs. Tappitt."

"Truth is truth,"