“How was that done?”
“Oh! by management; but then the girls were as anxious as the mother, and helped themselves along. As to Kate, I don’t believe she would take the trouble to walk across the room in order to secure the best match in the country.”
“She certainly is very indifferent, but she seems perfectly contented.”
“Yes, that is the trouble; she is perfectly satisfied to remain a fixture, although she knows that she will have to rank with the ‘antiques’ as soon as I begin to bring out her four younger sisters.”
“Perhaps it would be better to bring out Ella next winter,” sighed the father.
“Yes, Ella is lively and fresh-looking, and during the festivities which will follow Louisa’s wedding, she can slip into her place in society without the expense of a ‘coming-out’ party.”
“You speak as if Louisa’s marriage were a settled thing.”
“Because she can have her choice now of half a dozen, and by the time the season is over she will probably decide.”
“Well, under your guidance, she is not likely to make an imprudent choice.”
“I hope not. To tell you the truth, I am waiting for one more declaration, and then there will be no more delay,” said the mother.