“The young squire is going to ride one of my horses,” said Harry Stubbings.

“That’ll be an easy three pounds in your pockets, Harry,” said the doctor.  In answer to which Harry remarked that he took all that as it came, the heavies and lights together, and that there was not much change to be got out of three sovereigns when some gentlemen had had a horse out for the day,—­particularly when a gentleman didn’t pay perhaps for twelve months.

“The whole party is going,” continued the landlord.  “How he is to have the cheek to go into his Lordship’s house after what he is doing is more than I can understand.”

“What business is it of his?” said Larry angrily.  “That’s what I want to know.  What’d he think if we went and interfered over there?  I shouldn’t be surprised if he got a little rough usage before he’s out of the county.  I’m told he came across Bean when he was ferreting about the other day, and that Bean gave him quite as good as he brought.”

“I say he’s a spy,” said Ribbs the butcher from his seat on the sofa.  “I hates a spy.”

Soon after that Mr. Masters left the room and Larry Twentyman followed him.  There was something almost ridiculous in the way the young man would follow the attorney about on these Saturday evenings,—­as though he could make love to the girl by talking to the father.  But on this occasion he had something special to say.  “So Mary’s going to Cheltenham, Mr. Masters.”

“Yes, she is.  You don’t see any objection to that, I hope.”

“Not in the least, Mr. Masters.  I wish she might go anywhere to enjoy herself.  And from all I’ve heard Lady Ushant is a very good sort of lady.”

“A very good sort of lady.  She won’t do Mary any harm, Twentyman.”

“I don’t suppose she will.  But there’s one thing I should like to know.  Why shouldn’t she tell me before she goes that she’ll have me?”

“I wish she would with all my heart.”

“And Mrs. Masters is all on my side.”

“Quite so.”

“And the girls have always been my friends.”

“I think we are all your friends, Twentyman.  I’m sure Mary is.  But that isn’t marrying; is it?”

“If you would speak to her, Mr. Masters.”

“What would you have me say?  I couldn’t bid my girl to have one man or another.  I could only tell her what I think, and that she knows already.”

“If you were to say that you wished it!  She thinks so much about you:’ 

“I couldn’t tell her that I wished it in a manner that would drive her into it.  Of course it would be a very good match.  But I have only to think of her happiness and I must leave her to judge what will make her happy.”

“I should like to have it fixed some way before she starts,” said Larry in an altered tone.

“Of course you are your own master, Twentyman.  And you have behaved very well”