She had lived happily with her husband, comfortably with
her neighbours, respectably with the world, and, above all things,
affectionately with her children. She spoke everywhere of Lord Lufton
as though he were nearly perfect,--and in so speaking, she had not
belied her convictions. Under these circumstances, would not any
marriage be better than a quarrel? But, then, again, how much of the
pride of her daily life would be destroyed by such a match as that!
And might it not be within her power to prevent it without any
quarrel? That her son would be sick of such a chit as Lucy before he
had been married to her six months--of that Lady Lufton entertained
no doubt, and therefore her conscience would not be disquieted in
disturbing the consummation of an arrangement so pernicious. It was
evident that the matter was not considered as settled even by her
son; and also evident that he regarded the matter as being in some
way dependent on his mother's consent. On the whole, might it not be
better for her--better for them all--that she should think wholly
of her duty, and not of the disagreeable results to which that duty
might possibly lead? It could not be her duty to accede to such an
alliance? and therefore she would do her best to prevent it.
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