all Lady Pierceys theories as to what would be the making of Gervase, and save him from all difficulties and dangers. The old lady was not deceived in respect to her son; she was very clear-sighted, although in a moment of excitement, as on that morning, she might be ready to credit him with ideal virtues; on ordinary occasions nothing could be more clear than her estimate, or more gloomy than her forecast, of what his future might be.
I am resolved on one thing, said Lady Piercey, that we must marry him by hook or crook. I hate the French: theyre a set of fools, good for nothing but dancing and singing and making a row in the world; but I approve their way in marrying. They would just look out a suitable person, money enough, and all that, and hed have to marry her whether he liked it or not. Are you listening, Meg? If your uncle had done that with you, now, what a much better thing for you than pleasing your fancy as you did and grieving your heart!
Im not worth discussing, aunt, and all thats over and gone long ago.
Thats true enough; but youre an example, and if I think proper, Ill use it. I dare say Captain Osborne thought you had a nice bit of money when he first began to think of you, and was a disappointed man when he knew
Aunt, I cannot have my affairs discussed.
You shall have just what I please and nothing else, said the grim old lady. I have had enough of trouble about you to have a right to say what I please. And so I shall do, whatever you may say. A deal better it would have been for you if we had just married you, as I always wished, to a sensible man with a decent income, who never would have left you to come back upon your family, as you have had to do. Thats a heavy price to pay, my dear, for the cut of a mans moustache. And Id just like to manage the same for my own boy, who is naturally much more to me than you. But then theres the girl to take into account; girls are so much indulged nowadays, they take all kinds of whimseys into their heads. Now I should say, from my point of view, that Gervase would make an excellent husband; if she was sensible, and knew how to manage, she might turn him round her little finger. What do you say? Oh, I know you are never likely to think of anything to the advantage of my boy.
I think my cousin Gervase has a great many good qualities, aunt; whether you would be doing right in making him marry, is another matter.
Oh, you think so! it would be better to leave him unmarried, and then when we die Osy would have the chance? For all so clever as you are, Meg, I can see through you there. But Osy has no chance, as you ought to know. Theres the General, and his son, Gerald a new name in the family, as if the Gileses and the Gervases were not good enough for a younger branch! If it was Osy, bless the child, I dont know that I should mind so much, the old lady said in a softened tone, with a tear suddenly starting in the corner of her eye.
Thank you for thinking that, said Margaret, subdued. I know very well it could never be Osy.
But there might be another Osy, said Lady Piercey, putting away that tear with a surreptitious finger. There never was a brighter man than your uncle, and Im no fool; and yet you see Gervase Whats to hinder Gervase from having a boy like his father if the mother of it was good for anything? A girl, if she had any sense, might see that. Whats one person in a family? The family goes on and swamps the individual. You may be surprised at me using such words; but Ive thought a deal about it a great deal about it, Meg. A good girl of a good race, that is what he wants; and, goodness gracious, if she only knew how to set about it, what an easy time she might have!
To this, Margaret, being probably of another opinion, made no reply; and Lady Piercey, after an expectant and indignant pause, burst forth You dont think so, I suppose? You think the only thing hes likely to get, or that is fit for him, is this minx at the Seven Thorns?
I never thought so, cried Margaret, nor believed in that at all never for a moment.
That shows how much you know, said the old lady, with a snort of anger. I believe in it, if you dont. Who is he staying at home to-day and trying to please, the booby! that hadnt sense enough to keep that quiet? Dont you see hes under orders from her? Ah, she knows whats what, you may be sure. She sees all the ways of it, and just how to manage him. The like of you will not take the trouble to find out, but that sort of minx knows by nature. Oh, she has formed all her plans, you may be sure! She knows exactly how she is going to do it and baffle all of us; but I shall put a spoke in my ladys wheel. My lady! cried Lady Piercey, with the irritation of one who feels her own dearest rights menaced; she is calculating already how soon shell get my name
and make me the dowager! I know it as well as if I saw into her; but she is going a bit too fast, and youll see that Ill put a spoke in her wheel! John! you can turn back now, and drive to the place I told you of. I want to ask about some poultry at that little inn. You know the name of it.