asked down to Bragton in order that she might approve, if possible,
of the proposed wife. It was not likely that she should approve
absolutely of anything; but to have married without an appeal to
her would have been to have sent the money flying into the hands of
some of her poor paternal cousins. Arabella Trefoil was the
granddaughter of a duke, and a step had so far been made in the
right direction. But Mrs. Morton knew that Lord Augustus was
nobody, that there would be no money, and that Lady Augustus had
been the daughter of a banker, and that her fortune had been nearly
squandered.

The Paragon was not in the least afraid of his American visitor,
nor, as far as the comforts of his house were concerned, of his
grandmother. Of the beauty, and her mother he did stand in awe;--
but he had two days in which to look to things before they would
come. The train reached the Dillsborough Station at half-past
three, and the two carriages were there to meet them. "You will
understand, Mr. Gotobed," said the old lady, "that my grandson has
nothing of his own established here as yet." This little excuse was
produced by certain patches and tears in the cushions and linings
of the carriages. Mr. Gotobed smiled and bowed and declared that
everything was "fixed convenient" Then the Senator followed the old
lady into one carriage; Mr. Morton followed alone into the other;
and they were driven away to Bragton.

When Mrs. Hopkins had taken the old lady up to her room Mr. Morton
asked the Senator to walk round the grounds. Mr. Gotobed, lighting
an enormous cigar of which he put half down his throat for more
commodious and quick consumption, walked on to the middle of the
drive, and turning back looked up at the house, "Quite a pile," he