te would be against
her and hers in that matter. She had ever been afraid of young men,
believing them to be dangerous, bringers of trouble into families,
roaring lions sometimes, and often wolves in sheep's clothing. Since
she had first heard of Luke Rowan in connection with her daughter she
had been trembling. If she could have acted in accordance with her
own feelings at this moment, she would have begged that Luke Rowan's
name might never again be mentioned in her presence. It would be
better for them, she thought, to bear what had already come upon
them, than to run further risk. But she could not give any answer
to Mrs. Rowan without consulting Rachel;--she could not at least
give any such answer as that contemplated without doing so. She had
sanctioned Rachel's love, and could not now undertake to oppose it.
Rachel had probably been deceived, and must bear her misfortune. But,
as the question stood at present between her and her daughter, she
could not at once accede to Mrs. Rowan's views in the matter. "I will
talk to Rachel," she said.

"Give her my kindest respects," said Mrs. Rowan; "and pray make her
understand that I wouldn't interfere if I didn't think it was for
both their advantages. Good-bye, Mrs. Ray." And Mrs. Rowan got up.

"Good-bye, Mrs. Ray," said Mrs. Tappitt, putting out her hand. "Give
my love to Rachel. I hope that we shall be good friends yet, for all
that has come and gone."

But Mrs. Ray would not accept Mrs. Tappitt's hand, nor would she
vouchsafe any answer to Mrs. Tappitt's amenities. "Good-bye, ma'am,"
she said to Mrs. Rowan. "I suppose you mean to do the best you can by
your own child."

"And by yours too," said Mrs. Rowan.

"If so, I can only say that you must think very badly of your own
son. Good-bye, ma'am." Then Mrs. Ray curtseyed them out,--not without
a certain amount of dignity, although her eyes were red with tears,
and her whole body trembling with dismay.

Very little was said in the fly between the two ladies on their
way back to the brewery, nor did Mrs. Rowan remain very long as a
visitor at Mrs. Tappitt's house. She had found herself compelled by
circumstances to take a part inimical to Mrs. Ray, but she felt in
her heart a much stronger animosity to Mrs. Tappitt. With Mrs. Ray
she could have been very friendly, only for that disastrous love
affair; but with Mrs. Tappitt she could not again put herself into
pleasant relations. I must point out how sadly unfortuna