"Oh dear, I shall be so glad, my dear. Jane says that I could not possibly get a travelling dress made here that I could wear."
"You could get a dress in Damascus, I don't doubt, aunt. But--"
"And I really am not fit for much more riding. I don't like to disappoint you; but if you really wouldn't mind it--"
"Well, I should mind it,--and I should not. But let me tell you. You must not think that I am so very changeable, first pressing you to go one way, and then begging you to go another, without a reason."
"Not that either, aunt--quite; but do listen. Mr. Bertram to-day made--"
"Yes, aunt; that is just what he has done. And, therefore, perhaps it will not be quite so well that we should travel together."
"But, Caroline, tell me--pray do tell me; what did he say, and what have you said? Oh dear me, this is very sudden." And Miss Baker sat back in her chair, with her now grayish hair hanging over her shoulders, with her hair-brush still held in one hand, and with the other resting on the toilet-table.
"As for what he said, I may skip that, aunt. It was the old story, I suppose, merely signifying that he wanted me to marry him."
"As you truly say, aunt; it was too sudden. Mr. Bertram has a great deal to recommend him; a very great deal; one cannot but like him. He is very clever too."
"Yes, Caroline; and will be his uncle's heir--doubtless."
"I know nothing of that; to tell the truth, indeed, I never thought of that. But it would have made no difference."
"Well, I hardly know. I do know this--that I did more towards refusing him than accepting him; that I must have much more love for any man I do marry than I have for him at present; and that after what has passed, I think we had better not go to Damascus together."
To this latter proposition aunt Mary fully agreed; and thus it was decided that the extra patching for the longer journey need not be accomplished. Miss Baker would explain the matter to Sir Lionel in her way; and Caroline would do the same to George Bertram in hers. On one other point, also, Miss Baker made up her mind fully; though on this matter she did not think it prudent to make her mind known to her niece. She was very confident that the marriage would take place, and resolved to do all in her power to bring it about. Personally, she was fond of George Bertram; she admired his talents, she liked his father, and felt very favourably inclined towards his uncle's wealth. She finished her toilet therefore in calm happiness. She had an excellent match in view for her niece--and, after all, she would escape that dreadful horseback journey to Damascus.
