“I never was considered very much like my brother,” observed Mildred, smiling.
“Ah, you might be proud of resembling him, miss; for he's a very fine young gentleman. Don't you agree with me, miss?” she added, turning to Emmeline.
“Yes; he is generally considered very good-looking,” replied the young lady, slightly blushing—a circumstance that Mrs. Hartley did not fail to remark, “Whoever gets Mr. Chetwynd for a husband will do well,” she said. “Of that I'm certain.”
And she would have launched still more strongly into his praises, had not Rose checked her.
“I'm very glad to have an opportunity of thanking you for your great kindness to my brother, dear Mrs. Hartley,” observed Mildred. “He always speaks of you with gratitude, and says you were quite like a mother to him.”
“I felt like one,” she replied. “It touched my heart to see him. But, Heaven be thanked! all that's gone by, and I trust he's happy, as he deserves to be Nothing would please me better than to hear that he has found some charming young lady to———”
“All in good time, Mrs. Hartley,” interrupted Mildred. “You shall be let into the secret, I promise you, as soon as there is one to communicate.”
Mrs. Hartley looked as if she thought that would be very soon, but she didn't venture to give utterance to her sentiments.
“And now let us speak about your daughter, Mrs. Hartley,” said Emmeline. “We came to talk of her. She will tell you, I think, that she is happy in her new place.”
“I ought to be,” said Rose; “since every kindness is shown me.”