Page:The Private Life, Lord Beaupré, The Visits (New York, Harper & Brothers, 1893).djvu/92

82 wanted to know what she desired to do with Mr. Raddle. Mary replied that her mother would tell him what Mrs. Ashbury desired to do with poor Maud.

"What all Christian mothers desire," said Mrs. Gosselin. "Only she doesn't know how."

"To marry the dear child to Mr. Raddle," Mary added, smiling.

Firminger's vagueness expanded with the subject. "Do you mean you want to marry your dear child to that little cad?" he asked, of the elder lady.

"I speak of the general duty—not of the particular case," said Mrs. Gosselin.

"Mamma does know how," Mary went on.

"Then, why ain't you married?"

"Because we're not acting, like the Ashburys, with injudicious precipitation. Is that correct?" the girl demanded, laughing, of her mother.

"Laugh at me, my dear, as much as you like—it's very lucky you've got me," Mrs. Gosselin declared.

"She means I can't manage for myself," said Mary, to the visitor.