to the purpose; and don't look so alarmed, my love. You know, I am not a
hurrying person; you shall take your own time, and every thing shall be
done as you like, and the whole shall be kept amongst ourselves
entirely; for nothing is so disadvantageous and distressing to a young
woman as to have these things talked of in the world long before they
take place."

"But, ma'am!--Surely there is no marriage determined upon for me,
without my even knowing it."

"Determined upon!--Oh dear, no, my darling. You shall decide every thing
for yourself."

"Thank you, mother; now you are kind indeed."

"Indubitably, my dearest Amelia, I would not decide on any thing without
consulting you: for I have the greatest dependence on your prudence and
judgment. With a silly romantic girl, who had no discretion, I should
certainly think it my duty to do otherwise; and if I saw my daughter
following headlong some idle fancy of fifteen, I should interpose my
authority at once, and say, It must not be. But I know my Amelia so
well, that I am confident she will judge as prudently for herself as I
could for her; and indeed, I am persuaded that our opinions will be now,
as they almost always are, my sweet girl, the same."

"I hope so mamma--but----"

"Well, well, I'll allow a maidenly _but_--and you will allow that Sir
John Hunter shall be the man at last."