sigh--"she warned me that her mourning was a bad omen. Well, she
stayed with my mother while we went abroad, and on our return went with
us to be introduced at Knight Sutton. Everybody was charmed, Mrs.
Langford and Aunt Roger had expected a fine lady or a blue one, but
they soon learnt to believe all her gaiety and all her cleverness a
mere calumny, and grandpapa was delighted with her the first moment.
How well I remember Geoffrey's coming home and thanking us for having
managed so well as to make her like one of the family, while the truth
was that she had fitted herself in, and found her place from the first
moment. Now came a time of grave private conferences. A long
engagement which might have been very well if the general had lived,
was a dreary prospect now that Beatrice was without a home; but then
your uncle was but just called to the bar, and had next to nothing of
his own, present or to come. However, he had begun his literary works,
and found them answer so well, that he believed he could maintain
himself till briefs came in, and he had the sort of talent which gives
confidence. He thought, too, that even in the event of his death she
would be better off as one of us, than as a dependent on the St.
Legers; and at last by talking to us, he nearly persuaded himself to
believe it would be a very prudent thing to marry. It was a harder
matter to persuade his father, but persuade him he did, and the wedding
was at Knight Sutton that very summer."

"That's right," cried Fred, "excellent and glorious! A farthing for
all the St. Legers put together."

"Nevertheless, Fred, in spite of your disdain, we were all of opinion
that it was a matter of rejoicing that Lord St. Leger and Lady Amelia
were present, so that no one had any reason to say that they
disapproved. Moreover, lest you should learn imprudence from my story,