with my consent that he was there."

"I can easily believe that, Mrs Greenow," said the Captain.

"Who cares what you believe, sir?" said Mr Cheesacre.

"Gentlemen! gentlemen! this is really unkind. Captain Bellfield, I
think I had better ask you to withdraw."

"By all means," said Mr Cheesacre.

"As it is absolutely necessary that I should give Mr Cheesacre a
definite answer after what has occurred--"

"Of course," said Captain Bellfield, preparing to go. "I'll take
another opportunity of paying my respects to you. Perhaps I might be
allowed to come this evening?"

To this Mrs Greenow half assented with an uncertain nod, and then
the Captain went. As soon as the door was closed behind his back, Mr
Cheesacre again prepared to throw himself into his former position,
but to this Mrs Greenow decidedly objected. If he were allowed to go
down again, there was no knowing what force might be necessary to
raise him. "Mr Cheesacre," she said, "let there be an end to this
little farce between us."

"Farce!" said he, standing with his hand on his heart, and his legs
and knickerbockers well displayed.

"It is certainly either a farce or a mistake. If the latter,--and I
have been at all to blame,--I ask your pardon most sincerely."

"But you'll be Mrs Cheesacre; won't you?"

"No, Mr Cheesacre; no. One husband is enough for any woman, and mine
lies buried at Birmingham."

"Oh, damn it!" said he, in utter disgust at this further reference
to Mr Greenow. The expression, at such a moment, militated against
courtesy; but even Mrs Greenow herself felt that the poor man had
been subjected to provocation.

"Let us part friends," said she, offering him her hand.

But he turned his back upon her, for there was something in his eye
that he wanted to hide. I believe that he really did love her, and
that at this moment he would have taken her, even though he had
learned that her fortune was gone.

"Will you not give me your hand," said she, "in token that there is
no anger between us?"

"Do think about it again--do!" said he. "If there's anything you
like to have changed, I'll change it at once. I'll give up Oileymead
altogether, if you don't like being so near the farm-yard. I'll give
up anything; so I will. Mrs Greenow, if you only knew how I've set my
heart upon it!" And now, though his back was turned, the whimpering
of his voice told plainly that tears were in his eyes.

She was a little touched. No woman would feel di