Mrs. Allen presently appeared in her black silk dress, with her gold
watch hanging in front, and saluted the minister's wife with the
usual good-humoured, slightly democratic freedom which always annoyed
Mrs. Broad.
"My dear Mrs. Allen," began Mrs. Broad, "I have called to announce to
you a surprising piece of intelligence, although I dare say you know
it all. Your son George has asked Mr. Broad to be allowed to
consider himself as Priscilla's suitor. We have discussed the matter
together, and I have come to know what your views are. I may say
that we had destined--hoped--that--er--Priscilla would find her
sphere as a minister's wife in the metropolis; but it is best,
perhaps, to follow the leadings of Providence."
"Well, Mrs. Broad, I must say I was a little bit disappointed myself-
-to tell you the plain truth; but it is of no use to contradict young
people in love with one another."
Mrs. Broad was astonished. Disappointed! But she remembered her
husband's admonitions. So she contented herself with an insinuation.
"What I meant, my dear Mrs. Allen, was that, as the Flavels have been
a ministerial family for so long, it would have been gratifying to
me, of course, if Priscilla had bestowed herself upon--upon somebody
occupying the same position.
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