should thus,
in so short a time, have become wilful, masterful, and resolved in
following out her own purposes. Not one word on that occasion did
she speak to Miss Pucker; and Mrs. Prime, observing this, had grown
black and still blacker, till the horror of the visit had become
terrible to Mrs. Ray. Miss Pucker had grinned and smiled, and striven
gallantly, poor woman, to make the best of it. She had declared how
glad she had been to see Miss Rachel on the previous evening, and how
well Miss Rachel had looked, and had expressed quite voluminous hopes
that Miss Rachel would come to their Dorcas meetings. But to all this
Rachel answered not a syllable. Now and then she addressed a word
or two to her sister. Now and then she spoke to her mother. When Mr.
Prong specially turned himself to her, asking her some question, she
would answer him with one or two monosyllables, always calling him
Sir; but to Miss Pucker she never once opened her mouth. Mrs. Prime
became very angry,--very black and very angry; and the time of the
visit was a terrible time to Mrs. Ray.

But this visit is to be noticed in our story chiefly on account of
a few words which Mr. Prong found an opportunity of saying to Mrs.
Ray respecting his proposed marriage. Mrs. Ray knew that there were
difficulties about the money, and was disposed to believe, and
perhaps to hope, that the match would be broken off. But on this
occasion Mr. Prong was very marked in his way of speaking to Mrs.
Ray, as though everything were settled. Mrs. Ray was thoroughly
convinced by this that it was so, and her former beliefs and possible
hopes were all dispersed. But then Mrs. Ray was easily convinced by
any assertion. In thus speaking to his future mother-in-law he had
contrived to turn his back round upon the other three ladies, so as
to throw them together for the time, and thus make their position
the more painful. It must be acknowledged that Rachel was capable of
something great, after her determined resistance to Miss Pucker's
blandishments under such circumstances as these.

"Mrs. Ray," Mr. Prong had said,--and as he spoke his voice was soft
with mingled love and sanctity,--"I cannot let this moment pass
without expressing one word of what I feel at the prospect of
connecting myself with your amiable family."

"I'm sure I'm much obliged," Mrs. Ray had answered.

"Of course I am aware that Dorothea has mentioned the matter to you."

"Oh yes; she has mentioned it, cert