learn as much of his
disposition as they could. They were well satisfied with the result.

"I fancy I know what is in Penfold's mind," the rector had said to his
wife a few days after Ralph came down. "I believe he has already quite
settled it in his mind that some day Mabel and this lad shall make a
match of it."

"How absurd, John. Why, Mabel is only a child."

"Quite so, my dear; but in another three or four years she will be a
young woman. I don't mean that Penfold has any idea that they are
going to take a fancy to each other at present--only that they will do
so in the future. You know he has said that he intends to leave a
slice of his fortune to her, and I have no doubt that this lad will
get the main bulk of his property. I have often told you about his
engagement to the lad's mother, and how the breaking it off has
affected his whole life. It is natural that a lonely man as _he_ is
should plan for others. He has no future of his own to look forward
to, so he looks forward to some one else's. He has had no interest in
life for a great many years, and I think he is making a new one for
himself in the future of our girl and this lad.

"As far as I have seen of the boy I like him. He is evidently a
straightforward, manly lad. I don't mean to say that he has any
exceptional amount of brains, or is likely to set the Thames on fire;
but if he comes into the Penfold property that will not be of much
importance. He seems bright, good-tempered, and a gentleman. That is
quite good enough to begin with. At any rate, there is nothing for us
to trouble about. If some day the young people get to like each other
the prospect is a good one for the child; if not, there's no harm
done. At present there can be no objection to our yielding to
Penfold's request and letting them ride about the country together.
Mabel is, as you say, little more than a child, and it is evident that
the lad regards her rather in the light of a boy companion than as a
girl.

"She is a bit of a tomboy, you know, Mary, and has very few girlish
notions or ideas. They evidently get on capitally together, and we
need not trouble our heads about them but let things go their own way
with a clear conscience."

At the end of the time agreed upon Ralph returned home.

"And so, Ralph, you have found it better than you expected?" his
mother said to him at the conclusion of his first meal at home.

"Much better, mother. Mr. Penfold is awfully kind, and l