Parker to his wife
as they drove to the railway-station in the moonlight.
"Very," said Mrs. Parker; "and Mr. Forrester is a nice lad. I hope he
and Miss Ormiston will make it out: I did my best for them."
"They'll be quite able to do the best for themselves: it is always
better to let things of that kind alone."
"I don't know that," said Mrs. Parker: "if a little shove is all that
is needed, it is a pity not to give it."
"But what if your shove sends people separate? That's not what you
intended, I fancy?"
"No fear: people are not so easily separated as all that."
"Well, we have had an uncommonly pleasant visit: I only wish the heads
of the house had been at home."
Either the attachment of this pair must have been pretty evident to
ordinary capacities, or Mrs. Parker must have been of a matchmaking
turn of mind; probably the latter, for Bessie at least was sure that
no mortal guessed her secret; which was a great comfort to her, seeing
that Edwin was so indifferent. Alas! there is no rose without a thorn,
or if there is it is a scentless, useless thing, most likely incapable
of giving either pleasure or pain.
The Parkers had left early. When the young people went in-doors again
it was only seven o'clock: the girls proposed a game at hide-and-seek,
and Bessie seconded the proposal; for you see it would have been
rather a formidable business to sit down and entertain Mr. Forrester
all the evening with conversation, rational or otherwise; and although
at the moment she was in the dignified position of lady of the castle,
she could not the less enjoy a game amazingly.
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