This amiable frame of mind was not likely to last beyond the first day.  Matter of irritation soon enough offered itself, as was invariably the case at Twybridge.  It was pleasant enough to be feted as the hero of the family, to pull out a Kingsmill newspaper and exhibit the full report of prize-day at Whitelaw, with his own name, in very small type, demanding the world’s attention, and finally to exhibit the volumes in tree-calf which his friend the librarian had forwarded to him.  But domestic circumstances soon made assault upon his nerves, and trial of his brief patience.

First of all, there came an unexpected disclosure.  His sister Charlotte had affianced herself to a young man of Twybridge, one Mr Cusse, whose prospects were as slender as his present means.  Mrs Peak spoke of the affair in hushed privacy, with shaking of the head and frequent sighs, for to her mind Mr. Cusse had few even personal recommendations.  He was a draper’s assistant.  Charlotte had made his acquaintance on occasions of church festivity, and urged the fact of his zeal in Sunday-school tuition as sufficient reply to all doubts.  As he listened, Godwin bit his lips.

‘Does he come here, then?’ was his inquiry.

’Once or twice a week.  I haven’t felt able to say anything against it, Godwin.  I suppose it will be a very long engagement.’

Charlotte was just twenty-two, and it seemed probable that she knew her own mind; in any case, she was of a character which would only be driven to obstinacy by adverse criticism.  Godwin learnt that his aunt Emily (Miss Cadman) regarded this connection with serious disapproval.  Herself a shopkeeper, she might have been expected to show indulgence to a draper’s assistant, but, so far from this, her view of Mr. Cusse was severely scornful.  She had nourished far other hopes for Charlotte, who surely at her age (Miss Cadman looked from the eminence of five-and-forty) should have been less precipitate.  No undue harshness had been exhibited by her relatives, but Charlotte took a stand which sufficiently declared her kindred with Godwin.  She held her head higher than formerly, spoke with habitual decision which bordered on snappishness, and at times displayed the absentmindedness of one who in silence suffers wrong.

There passed but a day or two before Godwin was brought face to face with Mr. Cusse, who answered too well to the idea Charlotte’s brother had formed of him.  He had a very smooth and shiny forehead, crowned by sleek chestnut hair; his chin was deferential; the bend of his body signified a modest hope that he did his duty in the station to which Providence had summoned him.  Godwin he sought to flatter with looks of admiring interest; also, by entering upon a conversation which was meant to prove that he did not altogether lack worldly knowledge, of however little moment that might be in comparison with spiritual concerns.  Examining, volume by volume and with painful minuteness, the prizes Godwin had carried