“Yes, their eldest daughter, Celia, would be a good match for Charles, as amiable and quiet as he, but he does not chuse to prefer her, or indeed any of these young ladies who could make him a good wife. I begin to despair of finding any young lady to rival rocks in his affections.”

“I am wholly of your opinion, my dear,” said the Earl, “but what are we to do? I hesitate to begin by forcing his choice in such a matter.”

“Yes, my Lord,” she replied, “but consider that he is now turned nine-and-twenty, and there are several eligible girls within our immediate acquaintance. In two or three years, his indecision will exhaust the small number of suitable young women who will, in any event, have chosen elsewhere. I understand and respect the delicacy which attends the matter, but I should be grateful if you would find a convenient time to speak with him—as his father—about his duty to the title, and the need to make his choice whilst there are eligible daughters near-by from which to chuse. These girls are from known, respectable families who will settle the daughters’ shares generously. I dislike the necessity of putting the matter in such mercenary terms, but as an only son, he cannot be in doubt as to the necessity of his marrying. It may happen, that, in waiting too long to chuse a wife, a man will lose the chance of an heir.”

And so it was that the Earl, at the first opportunity, spoke with his son on the delicate topic. Far from being resentful of the interference or contrary in receiving the hint, the Viscount was, to the astonishment of his parents, completely unawares that the unceasing round of visits amongst the neighbouring families had been for any purpose other than keeping his mother company.

“Indeed, father,” the Viscount replied, “you must believe that I would never wish to give either of my esteemed and affectionate parents the slightest cause for uneasiness; I have been selfish and inattentive, despite the trouble and goodness of your endeavours to securing my happiness, for which I apologise with all my heart.”