without many advantages. I don't say she would be so handsome as her cousins. I dare say she would not; but she would be introduced into the society of this county under such very favourable circumstances as in all human probability would get her a creditable establishment. You are thinking of your sons; but do you not know that of all things upon earth that is the least likely to happen, brought up as they would be, always together like brothers and sisters? It is morally impossible. I never knew an instance of it. It is, in fact, the only sure way of providing against the connection. Suppose her a pretty girl, and seen by Tom or Edmund for the first time seven years hence, and I daresay there would be mischief. . . But breed her up with them from this time, and suppose her even to have the beauty of an angel, and she will never be more to either than a sister.'
"'There is a great deal of truth in what you say,' replied Sir Thomas; 'and far be it from me to throw any fanciful impediment in the way of a plan which would be so consistent with the relative situations of each. I only meant to observe that it ought not to be lightly engaged in, and that, to make it really serviceable to Mrs. Price, and creditable to ourselves, we must secure to the child, or consider ourselves engaged to secure to her hereafter, as circumstances may arise, the provision of a gentlewoman, if no such establishment should offer as you are so sanguine in expecting.'
"'I thoroughly understand you,' cried Mrs. Norris; 'you are everything that is generous and considerate, and I am sure we shall never disagree on this point. Whatever I can do, as you well know, I am always ready enough to do for the good of those I love; and
