She said not a word either to her mother, or to her sister, or to Florence as to what had passed at that interview; but, when she was first seen by any of them, she was very grave in her demeanor, and very silent.  When her father congratulated her, which he did with as much cordiality as he was able to assume, she kissed him, and thanked him for his care and kindness; but even this she did almost solemnly.  “Ah!  I see how it is to be,” said the old rector to his wife.  “There are to be no more cakes and ale in the parish.”  Then his wife reminded him of what he himself had said of the change which would take place in Mr. Saul’s ways when he should have a lot of children running about his feet.  “Then I can only hope that they’ll begin to run about very soon,” said the old rector.

To her sister, Mary Fielding, Fanny said little or nothing of her coming marriage, but to Florence, who, as regarded that event, was in the same position as herself, she frequently did express her feelings, declaring how awful to her was the responsibility of the thing she was about to do.  “Of course that’s quite true,” said Florence, “but it doesn’t make one doubt that one is right to marry.”

“I don’t know,” said Fanny.  “When I think of it, it almost makes me doubt.”

“Then, if I were Mr. Saul, I would not let you think of it at all.”

“Ah! that shows that you do not understand him.  He would be the first to advise me to hesitate if he thought that—­that—­that—­I don’t know that I can quite express what I mean.”  “Under those circumstances Mr. Saul won’t think that—­that—­”

“Oh, Florence, it is too serious for laughing—­it is, indeed.”  Then Florence also hoped that a time might come, and that shortly, in which Mr. Saul might moderate his views, though she did not express herself exactly as the rector had done.

Immediately after this Florence went back to Stratton in order that she might pass what remained to her of her freedom with her mother and father, and that she might prepare herself for her wedding.  The affair with her was so much hurried that she had hardly time to give her mind those considerations which were weighing so heavily on Fanny’s mind.  It was felt by all the Burtons, especially by Cecilia, that there was need for extension of their views in regard to millinery, seeing that Florence was to marry the eldest son and heir of a baronet.  And old Mrs. Burton was awed almost into acquiescence by the reflections which came upon her when she thought of the breakfast, and of the presence of Sir Henry Clavering.  She at once summoned her daughter-in-law from Ramsgate to her assistance, and felt that all her experience, gathered from the wedding breakfasts of so many elder daughters, would hardly carry her through the difficulties of the present occasion.