If she had doubted it, the expression of Mr. Fletcher’s face that morning would have dispelled the doubt, for, as she read, he was saying to himself:  “Yes, this healthful, cheery, helpful creature is what I want to make life pleasant.  Every thing else is used up; why not try this, and make the most of my last chance?  She does me good, and I don’t seem to get tired of her.  I can’t have a long life, they tell me, nor an easy one, with the devil to pay with my vitals generally; so it would be a wise thing to provide myself with a good-tempered, faithful soul to take care of me.  My fortune would pay for loss of time, and my death leave her a bonny widow.  I won’t be rash, but I think I’ll try it,”

With this mixture of tender, selfish, and regretful thoughts in his mind, it is no wonder Mr. Fletchcr’s eyes betrayed him, as he lay looking at Christie.  Never had she read so badly, for she could not keep her mind on her book.  It would wander to that new and troublesome fancy of hers; she could not help thinking that Mr. Fletcher must have been a handsome man before he was so ill; wondering if his temper was very bad, and fancying that he might prove both generous and kind and true to one who loved and served him well.  At this point she was suddenly checked by a slip of the tongue that covered her with confusion.

She was reading “John Halifax,” and instead of saying “Phineas Fletcher” she said Philip, and then colored to her forehead, and lost her place.  Miss Tudor did not mind it, but Mr. Fletcher laughed, and Christie thanked Heaven that her face was half hidden by the old brown hat.

Nothing was said, but she was much relieved to find that Mr. Fletcher had joined a yachting party next day and he would be away for a week.  During that week Christie thought over the matter, and fancied she had made up her mind.  She recalled certain speeches she had heard, and which had more weight with her than she suspected.  One dowager had said to another:  “P.  F. intends to marry, I assure you, for his sister told me so, with tears in her eyes.  Men who have been gay in their youth make very good husbands when their wild oats are sowed.  Clara could not do better, and I should be quite content to give her to him.”

“Well, dear, I should be sorry to see my Augusta his wife, for whoever he marries will be a perfect slave to him.  His fortune would be a nice thing if he did not live long; but even for that my Augusta shall not be sacrificed,” returned the other matron whose Augusta had vainly tried to captivate “P.  F.,” and revenged herself by calling him “a wreck, my dear, a perfect wreck.”

At another time Christie heard some girls discussing the eligibility of several gentlemen, and Mr. Fletcher was considered the best match among; them.

“You can do any thing you like with a husband a good deal older than yourself.  He’s happy with his business, his club, and his dinner, and leaves you to do what you please; just keep him comfortable and he’ll pay your bills without much fuss,” said one young thing who had seen life at twenty.