MrsMerdle’sComplaintResigningherselftoinevitablefatebymakingthebestofthosepeople，theMiggleses，andsubmittingherphilosophytothedraughtuponit，ofwhichshehadforeseenthelikelihoodinherinterviewwithArthur，MrsGowanhandsomelyresolvednottoopposeherson’smarriage。Inherprogressto，andhappyarrivalat，thisresolution，shewaspossiblyinfluenced，notonlybyhermaternalaffectionsbutbythreepoliticconsiderations。
Ofthese，thefirstmayhavebeenthathersonhadneversignifiedthesmallestintentiontoaskherconsent，oranymistrustofhisabilitytodispensewithit；thesecond，thatthepensionbestoweduponherbyagratefulcountryandaBarnaclewouldbefreedfromanylittlefilialinroads，whenherHenryshouldbemarriedtothedarlingonlychildofamaninveryeasycircumstances；thethird，thatHenry’sdebtsmustclearlybepaiddownuponthealtar-railingbyhisfather-in-law。When，tothesethree-foldpointsofprudencethereisaddedthefactthatMrsGowanyieldedherconsentthemomentsheknewofMrMeagleshavingyieldedhis，andthatMrMeagles’sobjectiontothemarriagehadbeenthesoleobstacleinitswayallalong，itbecomestheheightofprobabilitythattherelictofthedeceasedCommissionerofnothingparticular，turnedtheseideasinhersagaciousmind。
Amongherconnectionsandacquaintances，however，shemaintainedherindividualdignityandthedignityofthebloodoftheBarnacles，bydiligentlynursingthepretencethatitwasamostunfortunatebusiness；thatshewassadlycutupbyit；thatthiswasaperfectfascinationunderwhichHenrylaboured；thatshehadopposeditforalongtime，butwhatcouldamotherdo；andthelike。ShehadalreadycalledArthurClennamtobearwitnesstothisfable，asafriendoftheMeaglesfamily；andshefollowedupthemovebynowimpoundingthefamilyitselfforthesamepurpose。
InthefirstinterviewsheaccordedtoMrMeagles，sheslidedherselfintothepositionofdisconsolatelybutgracefullyyieldingtoirresistiblepressure。Withtheutmostpolitenessandgood-
breeding，shefeignedthatitwasshe——nothe——whohadmadethedifficulty，andwhoatlengthgaveway；andthatthesacrificewashers——nothis。Thesamefeint，withthesamepolitedexterity，shefoistedonMrsMeagles，asaconjurormighthaveforcedacardonthatinnocentlady；and，whenherfuturedaughter-in-lawwaspresentedtoherbyherson，shesaidonembracingher，’Mydear，whathaveyoudonetoHenrythathasbewitchedhimso!’atthesametimeallowingafewtearstocarrybeforethem，inlittlepills，thecosmeticpowderonhernose；asadelicatebuttouchingsignalthatshesufferedmuchinwardlyfortheshowofcomposurewithwhichsheborehermisfortune。