that you were going
to marry her?" enquired Small Porges, at last.

"Quite sure, comrade,--why?"

"Then how did she know you were going to marry her, an' settle down?"

"Marry--her, and settle down?"

"Yes,--at the full o' the moon, you know."

"Why really--I don't know, my Porges,--unless she guessed it."

"I specks she did,--she's awful' clever at guessing things! But, do you
know--"

"Well?"

"I'm thinking I don't just like the way she smiled at Mr. Cassilis, I
never saw her look at him like that before,--as if she were awful' glad
to see him, you know; so I don't think I'd wait till the full o' the
moon, if I were you. I think you'd better marry her--this afternoon."

"That," said Bellew, clapping him on the shoulder, "is a very admirable
idea,--I'll mention it to her on the first available opportunity,
my Porges."

But the opportunity did not come that day, nor the next, nor the next
after that, for it seemed that with the approach of the "Hop-picking"
Anthea had no thought, or time, for anything else.

Wherefore Bellew smoked many pipes, and, as the days wore on, possessed
his soul in patience, which is a most excellent precept to follow--in
all things but love.

CHAPTER XX

_Which relates a most extraordinary conversation_

In the days which now ensued, while Anthea was busied out of doors and
Miss Priscilla was busied indoors, and Small Porges was diligently
occupied with his lessons,--at such times, Bellew would take his pipe
and go to sit and smoke in company with the Cavalier in the great
picture above the carved chimney-piece.

A right jovial companion, at all times, was this Cavalier, an optimist
he, from the curling feather in his broad-brimmed beaver hat, to the
spurs at his heels. Handsome, gay, and debonair was he, with lips
up-curving to a smile beneath his moustachio, and a quizzical light in
his grey eyes, very like that in Bellew's own. Moreover he wore the
knowing, waggish air of one well versed in all the ways of the world,
and mankind in general, and, (what is infinitely more),--of the Sex
Feminine, in particular. Experienced was he, beyond all doubt, in their
pretty tricks, and foibles, since he had ever been a diligent student of
Feminine Capriciousness when the "Merry Monarch" ruled the land.

Hence, it became customary for Bellew to sit with him, and smoke, and
take counsel of this "preux chevalier" upon the unfortunate turn of
affairs. Whereof ensued many remarkable