resist Guy's parents--as, ignorant both of his feelings
and their intentions towards her, a young lady of her proud spirit
might well resist--was, to my astonishment, as mild and meek as this
soft spring morning. Nay, like it, seemed often on the very verge of
the melting mood. More than once her drooping eyelashes were gemmed
with tears. And when, the breakfast-table being quickly
deserted--Edwin, indeed, had left it almost immediately--she, sitting
absently in her place, was gently touched by Mrs. Halifax, she started
up, with the same vivid rush of colour that I had before noticed. It
completely altered the expression of her face; made her look ten years
younger--ten years happier, and, being happier, ten times more amiable.

This expression--I was not the only one to notice it--was, by some
intuition, reflected on the mother's. It made softer than any speech
of hers to Miss Silver--the few words--

"My dear, will you come with me into the study?"

"To lessons? Yes. I beg your pardon! Maud--where is Maud?"

"Never mind lessons just yet. We will have a little chat with my son.
Uncle Phineas, you'll come? Will you come, too, my dear?"

"If you wish it." And with an air of unwonted obedience, she followed
Mrs. Halifax.

Poor Guy!--confused young lover!--meeting for the first time after his
confession the acknowledged object of his preference--I really felt
sorry for him! And, except that women have generally twice as much
self-control in such cases as men--and Miss Silver proved it--I might
even have been sorry for her. But then her uncertainties would soon be
over. She had not to make--all her family being aware she was then and
there making it--that terrible "offer of marriage," which, I am given
to understand, is, even under the most favourable circumstances, as
formidable as going up to the cannon's mouth.

I speak of it jestingly, as we all jested uneasily that morning, save
Mrs. Halifax, who scarcely spoke a word. At length, when Miss Silver,
growing painfully restless, again referred to "lessons," she said:

"Not yet. I want Maud for half an hour. Will you be so kind as to
take my place, and sit with my son the while?"

"Oh, certainly!"

I was vexed with her--really vexed--for that ready assent; but then,
who knows the ins and outs of women's ways? At any rate, for Guy's
sake this must be got over--the quicker the better. His mother rose.

"My son, my dear boy!" She leant over him