“She was.”

“She sees through him?”

“Without quite doing justice to him now,” said Vernon.  “He can be generous—­in his way.”

“How?” Corney inquired, and was informed that he should hear in time to come.

Meanwhile Colonel De Craye, after hovering over the park and about the cottage for the opportunity of pouncing on Miss Middleton alone, had returned crest-fallen for once, and plumped into Willoughby’s hands.

“My dear Horace,” Willoughby said, “I’ve been looking for you all the afternoon.  The fact is—­I fancy you’ll think yourself lured down here on false pretences:  but the truth is, I am not so much to blame as the world will suppose.  In point of fact, to be brief, Miss Dale and I . . .  I never consult other men how they would have acted.  The fact of the matter is, Miss Middleton . . .  I fancy you have partly guessed it.”

“Partly,” said De Craye.

“Well, she has a liking that way, and if it should turn out strong enough, it’s the best arrangement I can think of,” The lively play of the colonel’s features fixed in a blank inquiry.

“One can back a good friend for making a good husband,” said Willoughby.  “I could not break with her in the present stage of affairs without seeing to that.  And I can speak of her highly, though she and I have seen in time that we do not suit one another.  My wife must have brains.”

“I have always thought it,” said Colonel De Craye, glistening, and looking hungry as a wolf through his wonderment.

“There will not be a word against her, you understand.  You know my dislike of tattle and gossip.  However, let it fall on me; my shoulders are broad.  I have done my utmost to persuade her, and there seems a likelihood of her consenting.  She tells me her wish is to please me, and this will please me.”

“Certainly.  Who’s the gentleman?”

“My best friend, I tell you.  I could hardly have proposed another.  Allow this business to go on smoothly just now.”  There was an uproar within the colonel to blind his wits, and Willoughby looked so friendly that it was possible to suppose the man of projects had mentioned his best friend to Miss Middleton.

And who was the best friend?

Not having accused himself of treachery, the quick-eyed colonel was duped.

“Have you his name handy, Willoughby?”

“That would be unfair to him at present, Horace—­ask yourself—­and to her.  Things are in a ticklish posture at present.  Don’t be hasty.”

“Certainly.  I don’t ask.  Initials’ll do.”

“You have a remarkable aptitude for guessing, Horace, and this case offers you no tough problem—­if ever you acknowledged toughness.  I have a regard for her and for him—­for both pretty equally; you know I have, and I should be thoroughly thankful to bring the matter about.”

“Lordly!” said De Craye.

“I don’t see it.  I call it sensible.”