her to be so conspicuous and conclusive, that it could hardly be
necessary to enumerate them. And such as they were, it might not be
pleasant to announce them in his hearing. But though Owen Fitzgerald
was so evidently an unfit suitor for an earl's daughter, it might
still be possible that he should be acceptable to an earl's widow.
Ah! if it might be possible to teach him the two lessons at the same
time!

"On what grounds, Mr. Fitzgerald!" she said, repeating his question;
"surely I need hardly tell you. Did not my son say the same thing to
you yesterday, as he walked with you down the avenue?"

"Yes; he told me candidly that he looked higher for his sister; and
I liked him for his candour, But that is no reason that I should
agree with him; or, which is much more important, that his sister
should do so. If she thinks that she can be happy in such a home as
I can give her, I do not know why he or why you should object."

"You think, then, that I might give her to a blacksmith, if she
herself were mad enough to wish it?"

"I thank you for the compliment, Lady Desmond."

"You have driven me to it, sir."

"I believe it is considered in the world," said he,--"that is, in
our country, that the one great difference is between gentlemen and
ladies, and those who are not gentlemen or ladies. A lady does not
degrade herself if she marry a gentleman, even though that
gentleman's rank be less high than her own."