"I'll try to answer you in the most approved style. She looked very charming indeed; seemed to have plenty of admirers, for I noticed that Miss Marion managed to have her share her honors, and made her the guest of the evening; she was 'taken out' a great deal, and above all, continued to carry my bouquet the whole evening without dropping it."
"I'm so glad," cried Rachel, "but wasn't it a shame that Arthur Thornton should have sent his bouquet to Marion first?"
"A shame? Why, no indeed," answered her uncle, with the utmost composure; "for if he had not, she would have been obliged to carry mine, and I know she preferred Mr. Thornton's."
"I don't believe it; yours was a great deal handsomer."
"Oh! that's not the point! Of course you must see that Mr. Thornton is to be the man."
"Uncle Robert, how absurd! I don't believe Marion would ever have him in the world!"
"And why not, I should like to know? He is handsome, intelligent,—in fact, a very good fellow every way, and has plenty of money."
"But Marion never will marry for money!" cried Rachel.
"I don't say she will; but what is your objection to Mr. Thornton?"
"I haven't any at all; I like him very much, but he would never do for Marion. She wants a much stronger man than he."