"Blindness?" repeated Marion. "What do you mean?"
"Why, can't you see, you little innocent, that she is setting her cap for Harry? I am very much mistaken if they do not understand each other already."
"Well, what if they do? I am sure Stanley would make an excellent minister's wife," said Marion, whose better nature could not help liking Stanley, despite her occasional fits of jealousy.
"Yes, but think what a disadvantage to him to be entangled so young in an engagement to a girl without a cent in the world! I don't believe that her mother will allow that, however. I fancy she has higher views for Stanley than making her a minister's wife. I hear she means to take her abroad."
Marion did not know what to say. To her unsophisticated New England mind, marrying a minister seemed anything but a poor prospect—marrying Harry especially.
"However, it is none of my business, I suppose," continued Gertrude; "I washed my hands of the whole concern long ago. But that was not what I was going to say when I brought you out here by ourselves. Marion, I want you to come and make me a good long visit. It would be a real mercy to me, I know, and I will try to make it pleasant for you. I am so much alone, and with my delicate health it is very depressing. The Bottom is a pretty little place, and we have some very good society there. I am sure you would enjoy yourself."
"I should, I dare say; but there are my lessons, you know," said Marion, doubtfully.
"Oh, your lessons won't suffer; you can bring your books along and I can help you with them, and I have a piano. I suppose you have begun music?"
"No; Cousin Helen advised me not," said Marion. "She said it was late for me to begin, and I would do better to keep on with my drawing, because I had a real talent and had a good start. I am getting on nicely with that, she says."
"Oh!" said Mrs. Gerty, significantly. "I should not suppose she was the one to decide about that. I think every young lady should know something of music, as there is no knowing when she may be called upon to play. However, I know how Mrs. Andrews gets everything under her thumb."