e my cousin too."

"Then you do like him?"

"Of course I do. Everybody must like him. But that is no reason why I
should want to marry him."

Upon this Mrs. Dosett sat silent for awhile turning the great matter
over in her thoughts. It was quite clear to her that every word which
Ayala had spoken was true; and probable also that Lady Albury's words
were true. In her inmost thoughts she regarded Ayala as a fool. Here
was a girl who had not a shilling of her own, who was simply a burden
on relatives whom she did not especially love, who was doomed to
a life which was essentially distasteful to her,--for all this in
respect to herself and her house Mrs. Dosett had sense enough to
acknowledge,--who seemed devoted to the society of rich and gay
people, and yet would not take the opportunities that were offered
her of escaping what she disliked and going to that which she
loved! Two offers had now been made to her, both of them thoroughly
eligible, to neither of which would objection have been made by
any of the persons concerned. Sir Thomas had shown himself to be
absolutely anxious for the success of his son. And now it seemed that
the grand relations of this Colonel Stubbs were in favour of the
match. What it was in Ayala that entitled her to such promotion Mrs.
Dosett did not quite perceive. To her eyes her niece was a fantastic
girl, pretty indeed, but not endowed with that regular tranquil
beauty which she thought to be of all feminine graces the most
attractive. Why Tom Tringle should have been so deeply smitten with
Ayala had been a marvel to her; and now this story of Colonel Stubbs
was a greater marvel. "Ayala," she said, "you ought to think better
of it."

"Think better of what, Aunt Margaret?"

"You have seen what this Lady Albury says about her cousin, Colonel
Stubbs."

"What has that to do with it?"

"You believe what she says? If so why should you not accept him?"

"Because I can't," said Ayala.

"Have you any idea what is to become of your future life?" said Mrs.
Dosett, very gravely.

"Not in the least," said Ayala. But that was a fib, because she had
an idea that in the fullness of time it would be her heavenly fate to
put her hand into that of the Angel of Light.

"Gentlemen won't come running after you always, my dear."

This was almost as bad as being told by her Aunt Emmeline that she
had encouraged her cousin Tom. "It's a great shame to say that. I
don't want anybody to run after me. I