1
It is a belief commonly acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife. However little known the feelings or views of such a man may be on his first entering a neighbourhood, this belief is so well fixed in the minds of the surrounding families, that he is considered the rightful property of some one or other of their children.
‘Mr. Black,’ said his lady to him one day, ‘have you heard that Godric Park is let at last?’
Mr. Black replied that he had not.
‘But it is,’ returned she; ‘for my dear sister has just been here, and she told me all about it.’
Mr. Black made no answer.
‘Do you not want to know who has taken it?’ cried his wife impatiently.
‘YOU want to tell me, and I have no objection to hearing it.’
This was invitation enough.
‘Why, Druella says that Godric is taken by a young man of large fortune from the north of England; that he came down on Monday in a chaise and four to see the place, and was so much delighted with it, that he agreed with Mr. Filch immediately; that he is to take possession before Michaelmas, servants are to be in the house by the end of next week.’
‘What is his name?’
‘Lupin.’
‘Is he married or single?’
‘Oh! Single, my dear, to be sure! A single man of large fortune; four or five thousand a year. What a fine thing for Druella’s girls!’
‘How so? How can it affect them?’
‘Mr. Black,’ replied his wife sternly,
‘how can you be so tiresome! You must know that I am thinking of his marrying one of them.’
‘Is that his design in settling here?’
‘Design! Nonsense, how can you talk so! But it is very likely that he MAY be taken with one of them, and therefore you must visit him as soon as he comes.’
‘I see no occasion for that. Cygnus, Druella, and the girls may go, or you may go yourself, which perhaps will be still better, for as you are as handsome as any of them, Mr. Lupin may like you the best of the party.’
‘You flatter me. I certainly HAVE had my share of beauty, but I do not pretend to be anything extraordinary now. When a woman has two grown-up sons, she ought to give over thinking of her own beauty.’
‘In such cases, a woman has not often much beauty to think of.’
‘But, my dear, you must indeed go and see Mr. Lupin when he comes into the neighbourhood.’
‘It is more than I engage for, I assure you.’
‘But consider your nieces. Only think what an establishment it would be for one of them. Cygnus and Lady Druella were determined to go, merely on that account, for in general, you know, they visit no newcomers. Indeed you must go, for it will be a splendid foot forward for the girls. Their introduction would be disastrous without.’
‘You are over-scrupulous, surely. I dare say Mr. Lupin will be very glad to see you; and I will send a few lines by you to assure him of my hearty consent to his marrying whichever he chooses of the girls; though I cannot give any recommendation towards the girls.’
‘I desire you will say no such thing in your letter. All three of them are handsome and I have met no girl as good-natured as Narcissa.’
‘They have none of them much to recommend them,’ replied he; ‘they are all silly and ignorant like other girls; but I will admit, Andromeda has something more of quickness than her sisters.’
‘Mr. Black, how CAN you abuse your own nieces in such a way? You take delight in vexing me. You have no compassion for my poor nerves.’
‘You mistake me, my dear. I have a high respect for your nerves. They are my old friends. I have heard you mention them with consideration these last twenty years at least.’
Mr. Black was so odd a mixture of quick parts, sarcastic humor, reserve, and caprice, that the experience of three-and-twenty years had been insufficient to make his wife understand his character. HER mind was less difficult to develop. She was a woman of mean understanding, little information, and an unpleasant temper. When she was discontented, she fancied herself nervous and highly vexatous. The business of her life was to get her nieces married; its solace was visiting and news.