andpoundsbythewar.Herewasafortuneatoncebesideswhich,therewouldbethechanceofwhatmightbedoneinanyfuturewarandhewassureCaptainWentworthwasaslikelyamantodistinguishhimselfasanyofficerinthenavy.Oh!itwouldbeacapitalmatchforeitherofhissisters.”
“Uponmyworditwould,”repliedMary.“Dearme!Ifheshouldrisetoanyverygreathonours!Ifheshouldeverbemadeabaronet!‘LadyWentworth’soundsverywell.Thatwouldbeanoblething,indeed,forHenrietta!Shewouldtakeplaceofmethen,andHenriettawouldnotdislikethat.SirFrederickandLadyWentworth!Itwouldbebutanewcreation,however,andIneverthinkmuchofyournewcreations.”
ItsuitedMarybesttothinkHenriettatheonepreferredontheveryaccountofCharlesHayter,whosepretensionsshewishedtoseeputanendto.ShelookeddownverydecidedlyupontheHayters,andthoughtitwouldbequiteamisfortunetohavetheexistingconnectionbetweenthefamiliesrenewed—verysadforherselfandherchildren.
“Youknow,”saidshe,“IcannotthinkhimatallafitmatchforHenriettaandconsideringtheallianceswhichtheMusgroveshavemade,shehasnorighttothrowherselfaway.Idonotthinkanyyoungwomanhasarighttomakeachoicethatmaybedisagreeableandinconvenienttotheprincipalpartofherfamily,andbegivingbadconnectionstothosewhohavenotbeenusedtothem.And,pray,whoisCharlesHayter?Nothingbutacountrycurate.AmostimpropermatchforMissMusgroveofUppercross.”
Herhusband,however,wouldnotagreewithherhereforbesideshavingaregardforhiscousin,CharlesHayterwasaneldestson,andhesawthingsasaneldestsonhimself.
“Nowyouaretalkingnonsense,Mary,”wasthereforehisanswer.“ItwouldnotbeagreatmatchforHenrietta,butCharleshasaveryfairchance,throughtheSpicers,ofgettingsomethingfromtheBishopinthecourseofayearortwoandyouwillpleasetoremember,thatheistheeldestsonwhenevermyuncledies,hestepsintoveryprettyproperty.TheestateatWinthropisnotlessthantwohundredandfiftyacres,besidesthefarmnearTaunton,whichissomeofthebestlandinthecountry.Igrantyou,thatanyofthembutCharleswouldbeaveryshoc