eenow and Mr Cheesacre were together. I think that Charlie
Fairstairs did not go with them at all. I think she went into the
house and washed her face, and brushed her hair, and settled her
muslin. I should not wonder if she took off her frock and ironed it
again. Captain Bellfield, I know, went with Alice, and created some
astonishment by assuring her that he fully meant to correct the error
of his ways. "I know what it is," he said, "to be connected with such
a family as yours, Miss Vavasor." He too had heard about the future
duchess, and wished to be on his best behaviour. Kate fell to the lot
of the parson.

"This is the last time we shall ever be together in this way," said
the widow to her friend.

"Oh, no," said Cheesacre; "I hope not."

"The last time. On Wednesday I become Mrs Bellfield, and I need
hardly say that I have many things to think of before that; but Mr
Cheesacre, I hope we are not to be strangers hereafter?" Mr Cheesacre
said that he hoped not. Oileymead would always be open to Captain and
Mrs Bellfield.

"We all know your hospitality," said she; "it is not to-day nor
to-morrow that I or my husband,--that is to be,--will have to learn
that. He always declares that you are the very beau ideal of an
English country gentleman."

"Merely a poor Norfolk farmer," said Cheesacre. "I never want to
put myself beyond my own place. There has been some talk about the
Commission of the Peace, but I don't think anything of it."

"It has been the greatest blessing in the world for him that he has
ever known you," said Mrs Greenow, still talking about her future
husband.

"I've tried to be good-natured; that's all. D---- me, Mrs Greenow,
what's the use of living if one doesn't try to be good-natured? There
isn't a better fellow than Bellfield living. He and I ran for the
same plate, and he has won it. He's a lucky fellow, and I don't
begrudge him his luck."

"That's so manly of you, Mr Cheesacre! But, indeed, the plate you
speak of was not worth your running for."

"I may have my own opinion about that, you know."

"It was not. Nobody knows that as well as I do, or could have thought
over the whole matter so often. I know very well what my mission is
in life. The mistress of your house, Mr Cheesacre, should not be any
man's widow."

"She wouldn't be a widow then, you know."

"A virgin heart should be yours; and a virgin heart may be yours, if
you choose to accept it."

"Oh, bother!"

"If you ch