I am deeply obliged to you--most deeply obliged to you--for your interest in his behalf; but my dear ma'am, it is a mistaken one, I do assure you.' Mrs Varden stammered that she was sorry--' 'Sorry, my dear ma'am,' he interposed.

'Never be sorry for what is so very amiable, so very good in intention, so perfectly like yourself.

But there are grave and weighty reasons, pressing family considerations, and apart even from these, points of religious difference, which interpose themselves, and render their union impossible; utterly im-possible.
I should have mentioned these circumstances to your husband; but he has--you will excuse my saying this so freely--he has NOT your quickness of apprehension or depth of moral sense.

What an extremely airy house this is, and how beautifully kept! For one like myself--a widower so long--these tokens of female care and superintendence have inexpressible charms.' Mrs Varden began to think (she scarcely knew why) that the young Mr Chester must be in the wrong and the old Mr Chester must be in the right.
'My son Ned,' resumed her tempter with his most winning air, 'has had, I am told, your lovely daughter's aid, and your open-hearted husband's.' '-- Much more than mine, sir,' said Mrs Varden; 'a great deal more.

I have often had my doubts.