"You are not the person I should most naturally have selected as the confidant of my opinions respecting Mr. Cartwright," said Rosalind; "but since you put the question plainly I will answer it plainly, and confess that I suspect him not only of wishing to inculcate his own Calvinistic doctrines on the mind of Fanny Mowbray, but moreover, notwithstanding his disproportionate age, of gaining her affections."
"Her affections?" repeated Henrietta. "And with what view do you imagine he is endeavouring to gain her affections?"
"Doubtless with a view to making her his wife; though, to be sure, the idea is preposterous."
"Sufficiently. Pray, Miss Torrington, has Miss Fanny Mowbray an independent fortune?"
"None whatever. Like the rest of the family, she is become by the death of her father entirely dependent upon Mrs. Mowbray."
"Your fortune is entirely at your own disposal, I believe."
Rosalind looked provoked at the idle turn Miss Cartwright was giving to a conversation which, though she had not led to it, interested her deeply.
"Do not suspect me of impertinence," said Henrietta in a tone more gentle than ordinary. "But such is the case, is it not?"
"Yes, Miss Cartwright," was Rosalind's grave reply.
"Then, do you know that I think it infinitely more probable Mr. Cartwright may have it in contemplation to make you his wife."