Scarcely a week had elapsed, after the accident already recorded, ere it became a matter of gossiping notoriety that the young squire of Coote-down had fallen in love with the lawyer’s daughter.  In truth, he had not stirred from the vicinity of the cottage in which Catherine lay, that he might get the earliest information from the medical attendants concerning her condition.  Prom day to day, and sometimes from hour to hour, he watched with intense anxiety.  The symptoms improved daily; the anguish caused by the fractures having subsided, the patient was in progress of slow, but to all appearance, certain recovery.

Mrs Hardman now had sufficient cause to ground a strong opposition to the match her son was endeavouring to make.  She spoke to her husband; but he, good easy man, could not, he said, see any objection to the alliance.  She was of their kindred, and although poor, would doubtless make an excellent wife.  The imperious and disappointed lady next applied to Dodbury.  She placed before him the inequality in the position of Herbert and his daughter, and was very vehement in her arguments against the marriage.

‘Your fears, madam,’ said Dodbury calmly, ’are at least premature.  However passionately your son may express himself in reference to my daughter, she, I know, feels what is due to herself, as well as to Mr and Mrs Hardman.  She would never consent to become a member of a family in which she would not be cordially received.  Besides, I have yet to learn that she reciprocates the attachment which you say Mr Herbert evinces for her.’

The correct light in which Dodbury thus considered the matter, induced Mrs Hardman to change her policy.  After complimenting the lawyer and Catherine for their honourable forbearance, she went on to say that she unhappily had but little influence over her son.  ’Would you, therefore, endeavour to point out to him the folly of his persistence in following a young lady whom he can never marry?’ Dodbury promised to do so, and the lady departed so well pleased with the interview, that she wrote to Lady Elizabeth Plympton, inviting her to spend the ensuing month at Coote-down.

That day, after hearing the most favourable report of Catherine’s recovery which had yet been made, Dodbury invited Herbert to dine with him.  After the cloth was removed, the subject of the morning’s conversation with Mrs Hardman was introduced.  Herbert stammered and blushed:  he was not prepared to talk about it just then, and endeavoured to change the topic more than once; but Dodbury kept to the point, till Herbert owned, in fervent and glowing words, that Catherine had completely won his heart, and that he would rather die than be forced into a match with another woman.

‘All which,’ replied the matter-of-fact man of parchment, ’is very spirited and romantic, no doubt.  But let us look at the affair with calm and clear eyes.  You profess to love my child with strong and unquenchable passion?’