"If Miss Fairfax prove impregnable--yes."

"You will test her, then?"

"Surely. It is in the bond. I have had her help, and will pay her the
compliment."

Miss Burleigh regarded her brother with almost as much perplexity as she
regarded Miss Fairfax. The thought passed through her mind that he did
not wish even her to suspect how much his feelings were engaged in the
pursuit of that uncertain young lady because he anticipated a refusal;
but what she thought she kept to herself, and less interested persons
did not observe that there was any relaxation in the aspirant member's
assiduities to Miss Fairfax. Bessie accepted them with quiet simplicity.
She knew that her grandfather was bearing the main cost of Mr. Cecil
Burleigh's canvass, and she might interpret his kindnesses as gratitude:
it cannot be averred that she did so interpret them, for she gave nobody
her confidence, but the plea was open to her.

Lady Angleby welcomed Miss Fairfax on her second visit to Brentwood as
if she were already a daughter of the house. It had not entered into her
mind to imagine that her magnificent nephew could experience the slight
of a rejection by this unsophisticated, lively little girl. She had
quite reconciled herself to the change in Bessie's prospects, and looked
forward to the marriage with satisfaction undiminished: Mr. Fairfax had
much in his power with reference to settlements, and the conduct of his
son Laurence would be an excitement to use it to the utmost extent. His
granddaughter in any circumstances would be splendidly dowered. Nothing
could be prettier than Bessie's behavior during this critical short