He had merely driven over at the earnest entreaties of the ladies to beg Miss Jane would accept a seat back with him; “they had some little project on foot, and could not proceed without her assistance.”

Mrs. Wilson looked gravely at her sister, as she smiled acquiescence to his wishes; and the daughter, who but the minute before had forgotten there was any other person in the world but Clara, flew for her hat and shawl, in order, as he said to herself, that the politeness of Colonel Egerton might not keep him waiting.  Lady Moseley resumed her seat by the side of her sister with an air of great complacency, as she returned from the window, after having seen her daughter off.  For some time each was occupied quietly with her needle, when Mrs. Wilson suddenly broke the silence by saying: 

“Who is Colonel Egerton?”

Lady Moseley looked up for a moment in amazement, but recollecting herself, answered,

“The nephew and heir of Sir Edgar Egerton, sister.”

This was spoken in a rather positive way, as if it were unanswerable; yet as there was nothing harsh in the reply, Mrs. Wilson continued,

“Do you not think him attentive to Jane?”

Pleasure sparkled in the still brilliant eyes of Lady Moseley, as she exclaimed—­

“Do you think so?”

“I do; and you will pardon me if I say improperly so.  I think you were wrong in suffering Jane to go with him this afternoon.”

“Why improperly, Charlotte?  If Colonel Egerton is polite enough to show Jane such attentions, should I not be wrong in rudely rejecting them?”

“The rudeness of refusing a request that is improper to grant is a very venial offence.  I confess I think it improper to allow any attentions to be forced on us that may subject us to disagreeable consequences; but the attentions of Colonel Egerton are becoming marked, Anne.”

“Do you for a moment doubt their being honorable, or that he dares to trifle with a daughter of Sir Edward Moseley?”

“I should hope not, certainly, although it may be well to guard even against such a misfortune.  But I am of opinion it is quite as important to know whether he is worthy to be her husband as it is to know that he is in a situation to become so.”

“On what points, Charlotte, would you wish to be more assured?  You know his birth and probable fortune—­you see his manners and disposition; but these latter are things for Jane to decide on; she is to live with him, and it is proper she should be suited in these respects.”

“I do not deny his fortune or his disposition, but I complain that we give him credit for the last, and for still more important requisites, without evidence of his possessing any of them.  His principles, his habits, his very character, what do we know of them?  I say we, for you know, Anne, your children are as dear to me as my own would have been.”

“I believe you sincerely, but the things you mention are points for Jane to decide on.  If she be pleased, I have no right to complain.  I am determined never to control the affections of my children.”