‘He is;’ but she added, smiling, ’you will not expect me to allow that my youngest child is old enough to warrant any calculations on that score.’

’It is very unfortunate; I pity them from my heart.  An engagement of this kind is a wretched beginning for life.’

‘Oh, do not say so!’ cried the old lady, ’it may often be the greatest blessing, the best incentive to both parties.’

Lady Conway was too much surprised to make a direct answer, but she continued, ’If my brother could exert his interest—­and I know that he has so high an opinion of dear Mr. Dynevor—­and you have so much influence.  That dear, generous Fitzjocelyn, too—­’

As soon as Mrs. Frost understood whom Lady Conway designated as her brother, she drew herself up, and said, coldly, that Lord Ormersfield had no church patronage, and no interest that he could exert on behalf of her grandson.

Again, ‘it was most unlucky;’ and Lady Conway proceeded to say that she was the more bound to act in opposition to her own feelings, because Mr. Mansell was resolved against bequeathing Beauchastel to any of his cousinhood who might marry a clergyman; disliking that the place should fall to a man who ought not to reside.  It was a most unfortunate scruple; but in order to avoid offending him, and losing any chance, the engagement must remain a secret.

Mrs. Frost replied, that Mr. Mansell was perfectly right; and seemed in nowise discomfited or conscious that there was any condescension on her ladyship’s part in winking at an attachment between Miss Conway and a Dynevor of Cheveleigh.  She made neither complaint nor apology; there was nothing for Lady Conway to be gracious about; and when the request was made to see Miss Conway, her superiority was so fully established that there was no demur, and the favour seemed to be on her side.

The noble old matron had long been a subject of almost timid veneration to the maiden, and she obeyed the summons with more bashful awe than she bad ever felt before; and with much fear lest the two elders might have been combining to make an appeal to her to give up her betrothal, for James’s sake.

As she entered, the old lady came to meet her, held out both arms, and drew her into her bosom, with the fond words, ‘My dear child!’

Isabel rested in her embrace, as if she had found her own mother again.

‘My dear child,’ again said Mrs. Frost, ’I am glad you like my Jem, for he has always been a good boy to his granny.’

The homeliness of the words made them particularly endearing, and Isabel ventured to put her arm round the slender waist.

‘Yes, darling,’ continued the grandmother; ’you will make him good and happy, and you must teach him to be patient, for I am afraid you will both want a great deal of patience and submission.’

‘He will teach me,’ whispered Isabel.

Lady Conway was fairly crying.