“I wished to say something to you, brother, relating to my charge:  you have, no doubt, observed the attentions of Mr. Denbigh to Emily?”

“Certainly, sister, and with great pleasure; you must not suppose I wish to interfere with the authority I have so freely relinquished to you, Charlotte, when I inquire if Emily favors his views or not?”

“Neither Emily nor I, my dear brother, wish ever to question your right, not only to inquire into, but to control the conduct of your child;—­she is yours, Edward, by a tie nothing can break, and we both love you too much to wish it.  There is nothing you may be more certain of, than that, without the approbation of her parents, Emily would accept of no offer, however splendid or agreeable to her own wishes.”

“Nay, sister, I would not wish unduly to influence my child in an affair of so much importance to herself; but my interest in Denbigh is little short of that I feel for my daughter.”

“I trust,” continued Mrs. Wilson, “Emily is too deeply impressed with her duty to forget the impressive mandate, ‘to honor her father and mother:’  yes, Sir Edward, I am mistaken if she would not relinquish the dearest object of her affections, at your request; and at the same time, I am persuaded she would, under no circumstances, approach the altar with a man she did not both love and esteem.”

The baronet did not appear exactly to understand his sister’s distinction, as he observed, “I am not sure I rightly comprehend the difference you make, Charlotte.”

“Only, brother, that she would feel that a promise made at the altar to love a man she felt averse to, or honor one she could not esteem, as a breach of a duty, paramount to all earthly considerations,” replied his sister; “but to answer your question—­Denbigh has never offered, and when he does, I do not think he will be refused.”

“Refused!” cried the baronet, “I sincerely hope not; I wish, with all my heart, they were married already.”

“Emily is very young,” said Mrs. Wilson, “and need not hurry:  I was in hopes she would remain single a few years longer.”

“Well,” said the baronet, “you and Lady Moseley, sister, have different notions on the subject of marrying the girls.”

Mrs. Wilson replied, with a good-humored smile, “you have made Anne so good a husband, Ned, that she forgets there are any bad ones in the world; my greatest anxiety is, that the husband of my niece may be a Christian; indeed, I know not how I can reconcile it to my conscience, as a Christian myself, to omit this important qualification,”

“I am sure, Charlotte, both Denbigh and Egerton appear to have a great respect for religion; they are punctual at church, and very attentive to the service:”  Mrs, Wilson smiled as he proceeded, “but religion may come after marriage, you know.”