WYLDER'S HAJVD.
115
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"Do I think it may safely be contracted, solely to join
two estates?" repeated the old lady, with a look and car-
riage that plainly showed how entirely she appreciated
the amazing presumption of her interrogatrix.
There was a little pause.
"Certainly," replied Lady Chelford; "that is, of
course, under proper conditions, and with a due sense of
its sacred character and a—a— obligations."
"The first of which is love," continued Miss Brandon;
"the second honor — both involuntary; and the third
obedience, which springs from them."
Old Lady Chelford coughed, and then rallying, said —
"Very good, miss!"
"And pray, Lady Chelford, what do you think of Mr.
Mark Wylder? " pursued Miss Dorcas.
"I don't see, Miss Brandon, that my thoughts upon
that subject can concern any one but myself," retorted
the old lady, severely, and from an awful altitude. "And
I may say, considering who I am — and my years —and
the manner in which I am usually treated, I am a little sur-
prised at the tone in which you are pleased to question me."
These last terrible remarks totally failed to overawe
the serene temerity of the grave beauty.
"I assumed, Lady Chelford, as you had interested
yourself in me so far as to originate the idea of my engage-
ment to Mr. Wylder, that you had considered these to me
very important questions a little, and could give me satis-
factory answers upon points on which my mind has been
employed for some days; and, indeed, I think I've a
right to ask that assistance of you."
"You seem to forget, young lady, that there are times
and places for such discussions; and that to Mr.—a—a—
your visitor (a glance at me,') it can't be very interesting
to listen to this kind of — of — conversation, which is
neither very entertaining, nor very wise."