an
offer.'

'Well, I shall let Miss Sarti know myself that I have observed her
conduct. It will be only a charity to her.'

'Nay, dear, that will be doing nothing but harm. Caterina's temper is
peculiar. The best thing you can do will be to leave her to herself as
much as possible. It will all wear off. I've no doubt she'll be married
to Gilfil before long. Girls' fancies are easily diverted from one object
to another. By jove, what a rate my heart is galloping at! These
confounded palpitations get worse instead of better.'

Thus ended the conversation, so far as it concerned Caterina, not without
leaving a distinct resolution in Captain Wybrow's mind--a resolution
carried into effect the next day, when he was in the library with Sir
Christopher for the purpose of discussing some arrangements about the
approaching marriage.

'By the by,' he said carelessly, when the business came to a pause, and
he was sauntering round the room with his hands in his coat-pockets,
surveying the backs of the books that lined the walls, 'when is the
wedding between Gilfil and Caterina to come off, sir? I've a
fellow-feeling for a poor devil so many fathoms deep in love as Maynard.
Why shouldn't their marriage happen as soon as ours? I suppose he has
come to an understanding with Tina?'

'Why,' said Sir Christopher, 'I did think of letting the thing be until
old Crichley died; he can't hold out very long, poor fellow; and then
Maynard might have entered into matrimony and the rectory both at once.
But, after all, that really is no good reason for waiting. There is no
need for them to leave the Manor when they are married. The little monkey
is quite old enough. It would be pretty to see her a matron, with a baby
about the size of a kitten in her arms.'

'I think that system of waiting is always bad. And if I can further any
settlement you would like to make on Caterina, I shall be delighted to
carry out your wishes.'

'My dear boy, that's very good of you; but Maynard will have enough; and
from what I know of him--and I know him well--I think he would rather
provide for Caterina himself. However, now you have put this matter into
my head, I begin to blame myself for not having thought of it before.
I've been so wrapt up in Beatrice and you, you rascal, that I had really
forgotten poor Maynard. And he's older than you--it's high time he was
settled in life as a family man.'

Sir Christopher paused, took snuff in a meditative manner