‘People live so differently.  One never knows.’

‘They never have but one fire at Nuncombe, aunt, summer or winter.’

‘That’s no reason they shouldn’t be comfortable here.’  However, she did not insist on having the fire lighted.

Mrs Stanbury and Priscilla came first, and the meeting was certainly very uncomfortable.  Poor Mrs Stanbury was shy, and could hardly speak a word.  Miss Stanbury thought that her visitor was haughty, and, though she endeavoured to be gracious, did it with a struggle.  They called each other ma’am, which made Dorothy uneasy.  Each of them was so dear to her, that it was a pity that they should glower at each other like enemies.  Priscilla was not at all shy; but she was combative, and, as her aunt said of her afterwards, would not keep her prickles in.  ’I hope, Priscilla, you like weddings,’ said Miss Stanbury to her, not knowing where to find a subject for conversation.

‘In the abstract I like them,’ said Priscilla.  Miss Stanbury did not know what her niece meant by liking weddings in the abstract, and was angry.

‘I suppose you do have weddings at Nuncombe Putney sometimes,’ she said.

‘I hope they do,’ said Priscilla, ’but I never saw one.  Tomorrow will be my first experience.’

‘Your own will come next, my dear,’ said Miss Stanbury.

‘I think not,’ said Priscilla.  ’It is quite as likely to be yours, aunt.’  This, Miss Stanbury thought, was almost an insult, and she said nothing more on the occasion.

Then came Hugh and the bridegroom.  The bridegroom, as a matter of course, was not accommodated in the house, but he was allowed to come there for his tea.  He and Hugh had come together; and for Hugh a bedroom had been provided.  His aunt had not seen him since he had been turned out of the house, because of his bad practices, and Dorothy had anticipated the meeting between them with alarm.  It was, however, much more pleasant than had been that between the ladies.  ‘Hugh,’ she said stiffly, ‘I am glad to see you on such an occasion as this.’

‘Aunt,’ he said, ’I am glad of any occasion that can get me an entrance once more into the dear old house.  I am so pleased to see you.’  She allowed her hand to remain in his a few moments, and murmured something which was intended to signify her satisfaction.  ’I must tell you that I am going to be married myself, to one of the dearest, sweetest, and loveliest girls that ever were seen, and you must congratulate me.’

‘I do, I do; and I hope you may be happy.’

’We mean to try to be; and some day you must let me bring her to you, and shew her.  I shall not be satisfied, if you do not know my wife.’  She told Martha afterwards that she hoped that Mr Hugh had sown his wild oats, and that matrimony would sober him.  When, however, Martha remarked that she believed Mr Hugh to be as hardworking a young man as any in London, Miss Stanbury shook her head sorrowfully.  Things were being very much changed with her; but not even yet was she to be brought to approve of work done on behalf of a penny newspaper.