Mothers sometimes depreciate their wares by an undue solicitude to dispose of them.

But to tell the truth openly and at once--a virtue for which a novelist does not receive very much commendation--Griselda Grantly was, to a certain extent, already given away.

Not that she, Griselda, knew anything about it, or that the thrice happy gentleman had been made aware of his good fortune; nor even had the archdeacon been told.

But Mrs.Grantly and Lady Lufton had been closeted together more than once, and terms had been signed and sealed between them.

Not signed on parchment, and sealed with wax, as is the case with treaties made by kings and diplomats--to be broken by the same; but signed with little words, and sealed with certain pressings of the hand--a treaty which between two such contracting parties would be binding enough.