Soon after that he found himself near to Dolly Longstaff as they were shooting.  ‘You know that fellow Tregear, don’t you?’

‘Oh Lord yes.  He is Silverbridge’s pal.’

‘Did you ever hear anything about him?’

‘What sort of thing?’

‘Was he ever—­in love with anyone?’

’I fancy he used to be awfully spooney on Mab Grex.  I remember hearing that they were to have been married, only that neither of them had sixpence.’

‘Oh—­Lady Mabel Grex!  That’s a horse of another colour.’

‘And which is the horse of your colour?’

‘I haven’t got a horse,’ said Popplecourt, going away to his own corner.

CHAPTER 47

Miss Boncassen’s Idea of Heaven

It was generally known that Dolly Longstaff had been heavily smitten by the charms of Miss Boncassen; but the world hardly gave him credit for the earnestness of his affection.  Dolly had never been known to be in earnest in anything;—­but now he was in very truth in love.  He had agreed to be Popplecourt’s companion at Custins because he had heard that Miss Boncassen would be there.  He had thought over the matter with more consideration than he had ever before given to any subject.  He had gone so far as to see his own man of business, with a view of ascertaining what settlements he could make and what income he might be able to spend.  He had told himself over and over again that he was not the ’sort of fellow’ that ought to marry; but it was all of no avail.  He confessed to himself that he was completely ’bowled over’,—­ ‘knocked off his pins’!

‘Is a fellow to have no chance?’ he said to Miss Boncassen at Custins.

‘If I understand what a fellow means, I am afraid not.’

‘No man alive was ever more earnest than I am.’

’Well, Mr Longstaff; I do not suppose that you have been trying to take me in all this time.’

‘I hope you do not think ill of me.’

’I may think well of a great many gentlemen without wishing to marry them.’

‘But does love go for nothing?’ said Dolly, putting his hand upon his heart.  ‘Perhaps there are so many that love you.’

‘Not above half-a-dozen or so.’

’You can make a joke of it, when I-.  But I don’t think, Miss Boncassen, you at all realise what I feel.  As to settlements and all that, your father could do what he likes with me.’

’My father has nothing to do with it, and I don’t know what settlements mean.  We never think anything of settlements in our country.  If two young people love each other they go and get married.’

‘Let us do the same here.’

’But the two young people don’t love each other.  Look here, Mr Longstaff, it’s my opinion that a young woman ought not to be pestered.’

‘Pestered!’

’You force me to speak in that way.  I’ve given you an answer ever so many times.  I will not be made to do it over and over again.’