‘Oh, that’s very nice!’ assented Mrs. Waltham.  ’Alice, her name is, didn’t you say?  Is she dark or fair?’

’Fair, and just about Adela’s height, I should think.  I hope you’ll like her, Adela.’

It was unfortunate that Richard did not pronounce the name of his bride elect quite as it sounds on cultured lips.  This may have been partly the result of diffidence; but there was a slurring of the second syllable disagreeably suggestive of vulgarity.  It struck on the girl’s nerves, and made it more difficult for her to grow accustomed to this form of address from Mutimer.

‘I’m sure I shall try to,’ she replied to the remark about Alice, this time endeavouring to fix her obstinate eyes for a moment on Richard’s face.

‘Your brother won’t come, then?’ Mrs. Waltham asked.

‘Not just yet, I’m afraid.  He’s busy studying.’

‘To read and write, I fear,’ was the lady’s silent comment.  On the score of Alice, too, Mrs. Waltham nursed a certain anxiety.  The damsels of the working class are, or so she apprehended, somewhat more difficult of acceptance than their fathers and brothers, and for several reasons.  An artisan does not necessarily suggest, indeed is very distinct from, the footman or even groom; but to dissociate an uneducated maiden from the lower regions of the house is really an exertion of the mind.  And then, it is to be feared, the moral tone of such young persons leaves for the most part much to be desired.  Mrs. Waltham was very womanly in her distrust of her sex.

After luncheon there was an inspection of the house.  Adela did not go farther than the drawing-room; her brother remained with her whilst Mutimer led Mrs. Waltham through the chambers she might care to see.  The lady expressed much satisfaction.  The furnishing had been performed in a substantial manner, without display; one might look forward to considerable comfort at the Manor.

‘Any change that Adela suggests,’ said Richard during this tour, ’shall of course be carried out at once.  If she doesn’t like the paper in any of the rooms, she’s only got to say so and choose a better.  Do you think she’d care to look at the stables?  I’ll get a carriage for her, and a horse to ride, if she likes.’

Richard felt strongly that this was speaking in a generous way.  He was not aware that his tone hinted as much, but it unmistakably did.  The vulgarity of a man who tries hard not to be vulgar is always particularly distressing.

‘Oh, how kind!’ murmured Mrs. Waltham.  ’Adela has never ridden; I should think carriage exercise would be enough for her.  We mustn’t forget your principles, you know, for I’m sure they are very admirable.’

’Oh, I don’t care anything about luxuries myself, but Adela shall have everything she wants.’

Alfred Waltham, who knew the house perfectly, led his mother to inspect the stables, Mutimer remaining with Adela in the drawing-room.