d he began to reflect once more that it is not
the habit of young ladies to accept their lovers at the first offer.
There was living with Mr. Spooner at this time a very attached
friend, whom he usually consulted in all emergencies, and to whom
on this occasion he opened his heart. Mr. Edward Spooner, commonly
called Ned by all who knew him, and not unfrequently so addressed
by those who did not, was a distant cousin of the Squire's, who
unfortunately had no particular income of his own. For the last ten
years he had lived at Spoon Hall, and had certainly earned his bread.
The Squire had achieved a certain credit for success as a country
gentleman. Nothing about his place was out of order. His own farming,
which was extensive, succeeded. His bullocks and sheep won prizes.
His horses were always useful and healthy. His tenants were solvent,
if not satisfied, and he himself did not owe a shilling. Now many
people in the neighbourhood attributed all this to the judicious care
of Mr. Edward Spooner, whose eye was never off the place, and whose
discretion was equal to his zeal. In giving the Squire his due, one
must acknowledge that he recognised the merits of his cousin, and
trusted him in everything. That night, as soon as the customary
bottle of claret had succeeded the absolutely normal bottle of port
after dinner, Mr. Spooner of Spoon Hall opened his heart to his
cousin.

"I shall have to walk, then," said Ned.

"Not if I know it," said the Squire. "You don't suppose I'm going to
let any woman have the command of Spoon Hall?"

"They do command,--inside, you know."

"No woman shall ever turn you out of this house, Ned."

"I'm not thinking of myself, Tom," said the cousin. "Of course you'll
marry some day, and of course I must take my chance. I don't see why
it shouldn't be Miss Palliser as well as another."

"The jade almost made me angry."

"I suppose that's the way with most of 'em. _'Ludit exultim metuitque
tangi'_." For Ned Spooner had himself preserved some few tattered
shreds of learning from his school days. "You don't remember about
the filly?"

"Yes I do; very well," said the Squire.

"_'Nuptiarum expers.'_ That's what it is, I suppose. Try it again."
The advice on the part of the cousin was genuine and unselfish. That
Mr. Spooner of Spoon Hall should be rejected by a young lady without
any fortune seemed to him to be impossible. At any rate it is the
duty of a man in such circumstances to persevere.