Emmeline, as has before been stated, was remarkably

young and innocent for her age ; she bad been brought up

in the idea that Lor^ Fitzbenry was to be ber husband ; and,

ahhough Without any very decided preference fot Vm, ^\i^



A MARRIAGE IN HIGH LIFE. 19



^ttfa a heart perfectly free, she had looked to her marriage
^is to a thmg of course, aad as to an event that was to secure
her happiness.
His indifference, however, had not escaped her observa-*
iion.; and, her cheek reddening with offended pride, she men-
tioned it to her father, when, breathless with delight, he came
to announce to her that Lord Fitzhenry claimed her as his
biide.
Mr« Benson ridiculed what he called her conceit, her ro<
xnancef exaggerated into compliments many a simply ciml
thing which Fitzhenry had, or possibly had not^ said of her;
•set forth all the advantages of the marriage; used every ar-
gument which he knew her affectionate Reference to him
would give weight to ; even hinted at his word being pledged,
till he succeeded at last in sil^icing her doubts and scruples.
The ^ood and pious Mrs. Benson too was not quite free from
worldly vanities; she told herself, and she told Emmeline,
•that so good a son must make a good husband; that it would
hsi such a comfort to see her settled in life with one whom
<sbe had known since a boy, and of whom she knew so much
^ood.
At last, with something between a smile and a sigh, Em-
onehne gave her consent, and all was thus finally arranged.
