“All the more that the Major wishes to pass on Mistress Martha Browning to him, poor fellow.”

“He did not tell me so.”

Mrs. Woodford related what he had said to her, and the Doctor could not but observe:  “The poor Major! his whole treatment of that unfortunate youth is as if he were resolved to drive him to distraction.  But even if the Major were ever so willing, I doubt whether Master Peregrine be the husband you would choose for our little maid.”

“Assuredly not, poor fellow! though if she loved him as he loves her—­which happily she does not—­I should scarce dare to stand in the way, lest she should be the appointed instrument for his good.”

“He assured me that he had never directly addressed her.”

“No, and I trust he never will.  Not that she is ever like to love him, although she does not shrink from him quite as much as others do.  Yet there is a strain of ambition in my child’s nature that might make her seek the elevation.  But, my good brother, for this and other reasons we must find another home for my poor child when I am gone.  Nay, brother, do not look at me thus; you know as well as I do that I can scarcely look to see the spring come in, and I would fain take this opportunity of speaking to you concerning my dear daughter.  No one can be a kinder father to her than you, and I would most gladly leave her to cheer and tend you, but as things stand around us she can scarce remain here without a mother’s watchfulness.  She is guarded now by her strict attendance on my infirmity, but when I am gone how will it be?”

“She is as good and discreet a maiden as parent could wish.”

“Good and discreet as far as her knowledge and experience go, but that is not enough.  On the one hand, there is a certain wild temper about that young Master Oakshott such as makes me never know what he might attempt if, as he says, his father should drive him to desperation, and this is a lonely place, with the sea close at hand.”

“Lady Archfield would gladly take charge of her.”

Mrs. Woodford here related what Anne had said of Sedley’s insolence, but this the Doctor thought little of, not quite believing in the regiment coming into the neighbourhood, and Mrs. Woodford most unwillingly was forced to mention her further unwillingness that her daughter should be made a party to the troubles caused by the silly young wife of her old playfellow.

“What more?” said the Doctor, holding up his hands.  “I never thought a discreet young maid could be such a care, but I suppose that is the price we pay for her good looks.  Three of them, eh?  What is it that you propose?”

“I should like to place her in the household of some godly and kindly lady, who would watch over her and probably provide for her marriage.  That, as you know, was my own course, and I was very happy in Lady Sandwich’s family, till I made the acquaintance of your dear and honoured brother, and my greater happiness began.  The first day that I am able I will write to some of my earlier friends, such as Mrs. Evelyn and Mrs. Pepys, and again there is Mistress Eleanor Wall, who, I hear, is married to Sir Theophilus Oglethorpe, and who might accept my daughter for my sake.  She is a warm, loving, open-hearted creature of Irish blood, and would certainly be kind to her.”