n't as dark
as ditch-water. I'm a plain man, I am; and I do hate your swells."
Against this view of the case Captain Bellfield argued stoutly; but
Cheesacre had been offended, and throughout the next day he was cross
and touchy. He wouldn't play billiards, and on one occasion hinted
that he hoped he should get that money soon.

"You did it admirably, my dear," said Mrs Greenow that night
to Charlie Fairstairs. The widow was now on terms almost more
confidential with Miss Fairstairs than with her own niece, Kate
Vavasor. She loved a little bit of intrigue; and though Kate could
intrigue, as we have seen in this story, Kate would not join her
aunt's intrigues. "You did it admirably. I really did not think you
had so much in you."

"Oh, I don't know," said Charlie, blushing at the praise.

"And it's the only way, my dear;--the only way, I mean, for you with
such a one as him. And if he does come round, you'll find him an
excellent husband."

"I don't think he cares for me a bit," said Charlie whimpering.

"Pooh, nonsense! Girls never know whether men care for them or not.
If he asks you to marry him, won't that be a sign that he cares for
you? and if he don't, why, there'll be no harm done."

"If he thinks it's his money--" began Charlie.

"Now, don't talk nonsense, Charlie," said Mrs Greenow, "or you'll
make me sick. Of course it's his money, more or less. You don't
mean to tell me you'd go and fall in love with him if he was like
Bellfield, and hadn't got a rap? I can afford that sort of thing; you
can't. I don't mean to say you ain't to love him. Of course, you're
to love him; and I've no doubt you will, and make him a very good
wife. I always think that worldliness and sentimentality are like
brandy-and-water. I don't like either of them separately, but taken
together they make a very nice drink. I like them warm, with ---- as
the gentlemen say." To this little lecture Miss Fairstairs listened
with dutiful patience, and when it was over she said nothing more
of her outraged affections or of her disregard for money. "And
now, my dear, mind you look your best on Friday. I'll get him away
immediately after dinner, and when he's done with me you can contrive
to be in his way, you know."

The next day was what Kate called the blank day at the Hall. The
ladies were all alone, and devoted themselves, as was always the case
on the blank days, to millinery and household cares. Mrs Greenow,
as has before been stated,