“No, no. Only in this one thing, I see you will go your own way.”
Lady Bassett put in her word. “Well, but this one thing is the happiness or misery of her whole life. I cannot blame her for looking well before she leaps.”
A grateful look from Ruperta's glorious eyes repaid the speaker.
“But,” said Lady Bassett, tenderly, “it is something to have two mothers when you marry, instead of one; and you would have two, my love; I would try and live for you.”
This touched Ruperta to the heart; she curled round Lady Bassett's neck, and they kissed each other like mother and daughter.
“This is too great a temptation,” said Ruperta. “Yes; I will engage myself to Cousin Compton, if papa's consent can be obtained. Without his consent I could not marry any one.”
“Nobody can obtain it, if you cannot,” said Mrs. Bassett.
Ruperta shook her head. “Mark my words, mamma, it will take me years to gain it. Papa is as obstinate as a mule. To be sure, I am as obstinate as fifty.”
“It shall not take years, nor yet months,” said Lady Bassett. “I know Mr. Bassett's objection, and I will remove it, cost me what it may.”
This speech surprised the other two ladies so, they made no reply.