confirmed in his admiration of her womanly self-control and beauty of
character, by the development he saw in his children, the work of her
hand. That he was ever profoundly in love with her I do not believe, nor
did she pretend to any passionate regard for him. Respect, friendship,
confidence, mutual esteem, were the foundations of their union, which
certainly promised enduring happiness to all concerned, and which was
looked on with favor by the whole household, not excepting Mrs. Austin
herself.

"If any successor of your dear mother _must_ come, Evelyn," I heard her
say one day to my sister, "we had better have her we know, to be sure,
than a mere stranger, but I _must_ say I can't see why your papa does
not content himself as he is. I am sure he seems very happy in his
library and his greenhouse, and driving out in his Tilbury, or with you
two young ladies in the coach of afternoons, and chatting and smoking of
evenings with Mr. Bainrothe or old Mr. Stanbury. I should think he might
have had enough of marrying by this time, and funerals and all that.
Your own precious mamma first, an earl's own daughter (Evelyn Erle,
never forget that, if your father _was_ a poor soldier! you have grand
relations in England, child, if you are not as rich as some others I
could name), and then your mother and Miriam's, Miss Harz that was, such
an excellent woman for all her persuasion, to be sure; better than some
Christians, I must say; and she just three years and a half laid in her
grave!" A doleful sigh gave emphasis to this remark. "I was never more
surprised, I must confess, than when he sent for me last night to tell
me he was to marry Miss Glen next week! Who is she, I wonder, Evelyn;
did you ever hear her speak of her kinfolks? Not a soul except two or
three of her church-people has been near her since she has been here,
and Franklin says she very seldom gets letters." A pinch of snuff
emphasized this remark.