Part 31 (1/2)

'Then it is all nonsense, as I thought,' said Marianne, joyfully. 'I should not like Alethea to marry an old man.'

'Mr. Mohun is very unlikely to make himself ridiculous,' said Mrs.

Weston. 'Do not say anything of it to Alethea; it would only make her uncomfortable.'

'If it had been Captain Mohun, now --' Marianne stopped, and blushed, finding her speech unanswered.

A few days after, Mr. Mohun overtook Marianne and her mother, as he was riding home from Raynham, and dismounting, led his horse, and walked on with them. Either not perceiving Marianne, or not caring whether she heard him, he said,

'Has Miss Weston received the letter she expected?'

'No,' said Mrs. Weston, 'she thinks, as there is no answer, the family must be gone abroad, and very probably they have taken Miss Aylmer with them; but she has written to another friend to ask about them.'

'From all I hear,' said Mr. Mohun, 'I should prefer waiting to hear from her, before we make further inquiries; we shall not be ready before midsummer, as I should wish my eldest daughter to a.s.sist me in making this important decision.'

'In that case,' said Mrs. Weston, 'there will be plenty of time to communicate with her. I can see some of the friends of the family when I go to London, for we must not leave Mr. Weston in solitude another spring.'

'Perhaps I shall see you there,' said Mr. Mohun. 'I have some business in London, and I think I shall meet the Hawkesworths there in May or June.'

After a little more conversation Mr. Mohun took his leave, and as soon as he had ridden on, Marianne said, 'Oh! mamma, I could not help hearing.'

'My dear,' said Mrs. Weston, 'I know you may be trusted; but I should not have told you, as you may find such a secret embarra.s.sing when you are with your young friends.'

'And so they are to have a governess?'

'Yes; and we are trying to find Miss Aylmer for them.'

'Miss Aylmer! I am glad of it; how much Phyllis and Ada will like her!'

'Yes, it will be very good for them; I wish I knew the Grants'

direction.'

'Well, I hope Jane will not question me any more; it will be very difficult to manage, now I know the truth.'

But poor Marianne was not to escape. Jane was on the watch to find her alone, and as soon as an opportunity offered, she began:-

'Well, auntie, any discoveries?'

'Indeed, Jane, it is not right to fancy Mr. Mohun can do anything so absurd.'

'That is as people may think,' said Jane.

'I wish you would not talk in that way,' said Marianne.

'Now, Marianne,' pursued the tormentor, 'if you can explain the mystery I will believe you, otherwise I know what to think.'

'I am certain you are wrong, Jane; but I can tell you no more.'

'Very well, my good aunt, I am satisfied.'

Jane really almost persuaded herself that she was right, as she perceived that her father was always promoting intercourse with the Westons, and took pleasure in conversing with Alethea. She twisted everything into a confirmation of her idea; while the prospect of having Miss Weston for a stepmother increased her former dislike; but she kept her suspicions to herself for the present, triumphing in the idea that, when the time came, she could bring Marianne as a witness of her penetration.