within his right to offer, if he did it in a modest manner.  But I won’t say more than that.  He’s simple and faithful and a servant worthy of all respect, but that man haven’t the parts to rise to mastership.  A good stick, but if he was your crutch, he’d fail you.  For my part, I’m very sure that people of much greater importance than him would offer for you if they knew you were for a husband.”

“I wouldn’t say I was for a husband, Richard.  The idea never came into my mind till Job Legg put it there.”

“Just your modesty.  There’s no more reason why you shouldn’t wed than why I shouldn’t.  You’re a comely and highly marriageable person still, and nobody knows it better than what I do.”

“You advise against, then?”

“In that quarter, yes.  I’m thinking of you, and only you, and I don’t believe Job is quite man enough for the part.  Leave it, however, for twenty-four hours.”

“He was to have his answer, to-morrow.”

“He’s used to waiting.  Tell him you’re coming to it and won’t keep him much longer.  It’s too big a thing to be quite sure about, and you were right when you said so.  I’ll come across and see you in the morning.”

“I’m obliged to you, Richard.  And if you’ll turn it over, I’ll thank you.  I wouldn’t have come to any other than you, bachelor though you are.”

“I’ll weigh it,” he promised, “but I warn you I’m very unlikely to see it different.  What you’ve told me have put other side issues into my head.  You’ll hunt a rabbit and flush a game bird, sometimes.  In fact, great things often come out of little ones.”

“I know you’ll be fair and not let anything influence your judgment,” she said.

He promised, but with secret uneasiness, for already it seemed that his judgment was being influenced.  For that reason he had postponed a final decision until the following day.  Mrs. Northover departed with grateful thanks and left behind her, though she guessed it not, problems far more tremendous than any she had brought.

Meantime Raymond and Sabina, on their way to Miss Ironsyde, were met by Mr. Neddy Motyer.  Neddy had not seen his friend for some time and now saluted and stopped.  It was nearly dark and they stood under a lamp-post.

“Cheero!” said Mr. Motyer.  “Haven’t cast an eye on you for a month of Sundays, Ironsyde.”

Raymond introduced Sabina and Neddy was gallant and reminded her they had met before at the Mill.  Then, desiring a little masculine society, Sabina’s betrothed proposed that she should go on and report that he was coming.

“Aunt Jenny will expect us to stop for dinner, so there’s no hurry.  I’ll be up in half an hour.”

She left them and Neddy suggested drinking.

“You might as well be dead and buried for all the boys see of you nowadays,” he said, as they entered ‘The Bull’ Hotel.

“I’m busy.”

“I know, but I hope you’ll have a big night off before the deed is done and you take leave of freedom—­what?”