"Took it away again!" said Mr. Vincy, pettishly. "I tell you the lad's

an unlucky lad, Lucy. And you've always spoiled him."

"Well, Vincy, he was my first, and you made a fine fuss with him when

he came. You were as proud as proud," said Mrs. Vincy, easily

recovering her cheerful smile.

"Who knows what babies will turn to? I was fool enough, I dare say,"

said the husband--more mildly, however.

"But who has handsomer, better children than ours? Fred is far beyond

other people's sons: you may hear it in his speech, that he has kept

college company. And Rosamond--where is there a girl like her? She

might stand beside any lady in the land, and only look the better for

it. You see--Mr. Lydgate has kept the highest company and been

everywhere, and he fell in love with her at once. Not but what I could

have wished Rosamond had not engaged herself. She might have met

somebody on a visit who would have been a far better match; I mean at

her schoolfellow Miss Willoughby's. There are relations in that family

quite as high as Mr. Lydgate's."

"Damn relations!" said Mr. Vincy; "I've had enough of them. I don't

want a son-in-law who has got nothing but his relations to recommend

him."

"Why, my dear," said Mrs. Vincy, "you seemed as pleased as could be

about it. It's true, I wasn't at home; but Rosamond told me you hadn't

a word to say against the engagement. And she has begun to buy in the

best linen and cambric for her underclothing."

"Not by my will," said Mr. Vincy. "I shall have enough to do this

year, with an idle scamp of a son, without paying for wedding-clothes.

The times are as tight as can be; everybody is being ruined; and I

don't believe Lydgate has got a farthing. I shan't give my consent to

their marrying. Let 'em wait, as their elders have done before 'em."

"Rosamond will take it hard, Vincy, and you know you never could bear

to cross her."

"Yes, I could. The sooner the engagement's off, the better. I don't

believe he'll ever make an income, the way he goes on. He makes

enemies; that's all I hear of his making."

"But he stands very high with Mr. Bulstrode, my dear. The marriage

would please _him_, I should think."

"Please the deuce!" said Mr. Vincy. "Bulstrode won't pay for their

keep. And if Lydgate thinks I'm going to give money for them to set up

housekeeping, he's mistaken, that's all. I expect I shall have to put

down my horses soon. You'd better tell Rosy what I say."




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