But, in truth, Brooke Burgess had still another word or two to say before he went to his rest, They supped somewhere near the Haymarket, and then he offered to walk home with Stanbury, to his chambers in Lincoln’s Inn.  ‘Do you know that Mr Gibson at Exeter?’ he asked, as they passed through Leicester Square.

’Yes; I knew him.  He was a sort of tame-cat parson at my aunt’s house, in my days.’

’Exactly but I fancy that has come to an end now.  Have you heard anything about him lately?’

‘Well yes I have,’ said Stanbury, feeling that dislike to speak of his sister which is common to most brothers when in company with other men.

’I suppose you’ve heard of it, and, as I was in the middle of it all, of course I couldn’t but know all about it too.  Your aunt wanted him to marry your sister.’

‘So I was told.’

‘But your sister didn’t see it,’ said Brooke.

‘So I understand,’ said Stanbury.  ’I believe my aunt was exceedingly liberal,’ and meant to do the best she could for poor Dorothy; but, if she didn’t like him, I suppose she was right not to have him,’ said Hugh.

‘Of course she was right,’ said Brooke, with a good deal of enthusiasm.

‘I believe Gibson to be a very decent sort of fellow,’ said Stanbury.

‘A mean, paltry dog,’ said Brooke.  There had been a little whisky-toddy after the oysters, and Mr Burgess was perhaps moved to a warmer expression of feeling than he might have displayed had he discussed this branch of the subject before supper.  ’I knew from the first that she would have nothing to say to him.  He is such a poor creature!’

‘I always thought well of him,’ said Stanbury, ’and was inclined to think that Dolly might have done worse.’

’It is hard to say what is the worst a girl might do; but I think she might do, perhaps, a little better.’

‘What do you mean?’ said Hugh.

‘I think I shall go down, and ask her to take myself.’

‘Do you mean it in earnest?’

‘I do,’ said Brooke.  ’Of course, I hadn’t a chance when I was there.  She told me—­’

‘Who told you, Dorothy?’

’No, your aunt she told me that Mr Gibson was to marry your sister.  You know your aunt’s way.  She spoke of it as though the thing were settled as soon as she had got it into her own head; and she was as hot upon it as though Mr Gibson had been an archbishop.  I had nothing to do then but to wait and see.’

‘I had no idea of Dolly being fought for by rivals.’

‘Brothers never think much of their sisters,’ said Brooke Burgess.

‘I can assure you I think a great deal of Dorothy,’ said Hugh.  ’I believe her to be as sweet a woman as God ever made.  She hardly knows that she has a self belonging to herself.’

‘I’m sure she doesn’t,’ said Brooke.

’She is a dear, loving, sweet-tempered creature, who is only too ready to yield in all things.’