‘Matrimony’s not so bad as you think for, Miss Browning,’ said Mrs Goodenough, standing up for the holy estate into which she had twice entered.  ‘If I had ha’ seen Nancy, I should ha’ given her my mind very different.  It’s a great thing to be able to settle what you’ll have for dinner, without never a one interfering with you.’

‘If that’s all!’ said Miss Browning, drawing herself up, ’I can do that; and, perhaps, better than a woman who has a husband to please.’

’No one can say as I didn’t please my husbands—­both on ’em, though Jeremy was tickler’ in his tastes than poor Harry Beaver.  But as I used to say to ’em, “Leave the victual to me; it’s better for you than knowing what’s to come beforehand.  The stomach likes to be taken by surprise.”  And neither of ’em ever repented ’em of their confidence.  You may take my word for it, beans and bacon will taste better (and Mr. Ashton’s Nancy in her own house) than all the sweetbreads and spring chickens she’s been a-doing for him this seventeen years.  But if I chose I could tell you of something as would interest you all a deal more than old Nancy’s marriage to a widower with nine children—­only as the young folks themselves is meeting in private, clandestine-like, it’s perhaps not for me to tell their secrets.’

’I’m sure I don’t want to hear of clandestine meetings between young men and young women,’ said Miss Browning, throwing up her head.  ’It’s disgrace enough to the people themselves, I consider, if they enter on a love affair without the proper sanction of parents.  I know public opinion has changed on the subject; but when poor Gratia was married to Mr. Byerley, he wrote to my father without ever having so much as paid her a compliment, or said more than the most trivial and commonplace things to her; and my father and mother sent for her into my father’s study, and she said she never was so much frightened in her life,—­and they said it was a very good offer, and Mr. Byerley was a very worthy man, and they hoped she would behave properly to him when he came to supper that night.  And after that he was allowed to come twice a week till they were married.  My mother and I sate at our work in the bow-window of the Rectory drawing-room, and Gratia and Mr. Byerley at the other end; and my mother always called my attention to some flower or plant in the garden when it struck nine, for that was his time for going.  Without offence to the present company, I am rather inclined to look upon matrimony as a weakness to which some very worthy people are prone; but if they must be married, let them make the best of it, and go through the affair with dignity and propriety; or if there are misdoings and clandestine meetings, and such things, at any rate, never let me hear about them!  I think it’s you to play, Mrs. Dawes.  You’ll excuse my frankness on the subject of matrimony!  Mrs Goodenough there can tell you I’m a very out-spoken person.’