"
"But I don't stand in need of any good news, mamma."
This simple reply proved an unexpected capsize to her mother, who knew
not how to proceed; but, in the moment of her embarrassment, looked to
her husband for assistance.
"My dear Alice," said her father, "the fact is this--you have achieved a
conquest, and there has been a proposal of marriage made for you."
Alice instantly suspected the individual from whom the proposal came,
and turned pale as death.
"That does not cheer my spirits, then, papa."
"That may be, my dear Alice," replied her father; "but, in the opinion
of your mother and me, it ought."
"From what quarter has it come, papa, may I ask? I am living very lonely
and retired here, you know."
"The proposal, then, my dear child, has come from Henry Woodward, this
day; and what will surprise you more, through his mother, too--who has
been of late such an inveterate enemy to our family. So far as I have
seen of Henry himself, he is everything I could wish for a son-in-law."
"But you have seen very little of him, papa."
"What I have seen of him has pleased me very much, Alice.
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