The Eldest Son

id not draw rein until he came to that rectory concerning whose occupancy his relations and connections were so exercised. It was a dul

request, with a flourish of petticoats, to fetch a groom from the stableyard hard by. Then she showed him into the drawing-room, where two women were sittin

and her features delicate. When she smiled she was beautiful. Her dark hair was elaborately braided; her slim figure looked well in a black gown of soft folds. She had t

both her hands. "Toby and I were wondering how on earth we we

en hands with the visitor. "I knew you would come. So did Virginia, really. We we

pushing her back into her chair. "We will have the lights and tea-although it is earl

rt of state you'd work yourself up int

and rather plain, with sandy-coloured hair and square-tippe

years, and you have come and stolen her away from me. But it's a harmless sort

wn at her with a glance that immediately transferred itself to her companion

fter my experience. She thinks a woman's friendship ought to be enough. She wants no other. We talk ove

. "But we needn't discuss these matters before Ca

ussions of abstract questions. "How do you find yourself here, Virginia?"

id, with a smile. "He said, 'If I'd known a woman could do this

ted he should marry me," said Miss Dexter.

that sort always does. We shall carry it on till the end of m

aid Dick. "The stables are

le to get me a brighter house, Dick. It is rather depre

ee the dower-house. I was there this morning, and really I'd no idea what a jolly little place it is. With the few alterati

re," she said. "I'm rather frightened about it all, Dick. When w

tly. "I shall tell

re of impatience, and looked up at him. "Why haven't

isn't a proper question to ask, Miss Dexter," he s

ake him angry," said Lady George. "I'm fr

ts managing," he said. "I'll state the case quite plainly

in that lady, "I'm not wo

" expostulat

of the fire and took a chair, but left it to the two women to carry on a desultory conversation until they were left alone again. Then h

it out," she said

some creature in the w

irginia," Dick went on, "but the name you be

n the least, but why go into all that? We understa

female child fellows like me are supposed to marry-his mind is running on it now, and he actually tackled me about it last night. He's got the young person all ready-that's the sort of man he is-my cousin, Grace

way of putting it

me. I adore you for it. It eases all my spiritual aches and pains. Toby, you irritating creature, can't you see how lovely it is of him? If he were all wrong about having me come down

t quite-I don't

id Miss Dexter. "I was just going to sa

r, would be brought up, and he'd put himself into a frantic state about it. He wouldn't let me bring her to Kencote; he'd fight blindly with every weapon he could use. I'm heir to a fine property, and I'm as well off as I need be, even while my father is alive, as

proud for that,"

in a way that would affect us always, and in a way I won't subject her to. He'd do that, although he might be sorry for having done it afterwards, and I don't think I should be able to put up with it. We might quarrel in such a way that we shouldn't be able to come together again, and the harm would be done. As I say, if there were no other way I would run the risk. But there is another way, and

aid me, but that is the best of all. Answer him, Toby, and don't

ainst all this policy, and if your father isn't quite blind, Captain

nd telling him-in fact, I shall tell him-that it was I who advised Virginia to come down here. He knows I h

ight pause. "I won't say I think you're right, but I'll say you may

ssed her. "My darling old Toby!" she said. "You are v

en they were left alone Dick held Virginia in his arms and looked into her eyes.

e first, Dick?"

have changed everything. I have always thought I ha

appened to me. And when I remember I begin to sing. To think that at my age, and after my

. I love you enough for that, Virginia, and the things I would give up for you are the only things I have valued so fa

he,

ather, although I think I can see a bit further into things, an

n a sofa, and Dick was holding h

it would be impossible ever to get anything out of you," s

n myself," he said. "I've never tried to talk over any one to my side as I

ood by me in the worst days, and put up with untold insults without flinching, so that she could stay with me. Of course, at first, she was terrifie

r, and I will. Sh

r told me very much about her. I think I feel

cult to know. She is rather silent and keeps her thoughts to herself; but I know we shall have

, Dick. Don't you love y

with us. She never did. It was my father

our mother. I will wait until I have seen her. You don't help me to know what she is like. I hope

you he had a foolish prejudice against women hunting, didn't I? It

hen. I will drive Toby to the me

t go off. And I don't believe you really care as

, Dick," she said. "As for hunting-it was the excitement-to keep my mind off. It was the only thing he

uth. "You are not to talk abo

bad neuralgia-just a sense of peace and bliss. Perhaps I didn't really try to kill myself, but certainly I shouldn't have cared if I had. It was not caring tha

s for your reputation, my dear, I'm afraid we are so out of the smart hunting world in South Meadshir

that I have to be cautious. Yes, I do love it. I don't want to give up hu

ginia. But I want you to get to know the country, and love it, as I

en settled down just in this little spot in the world for all those centuries. Dick dear, I know you are giving up a lot for me. I know, although I

nour you, and I wouldn't have you different-not in the smallest particular. No Clinton of Kencote has ever chosen a wife more worthy to bear

hemselves for the long evening, Virginia Dubec said to Miss Dexter, "Toby, t

ll want to rule, and to rule without question. He is very much in love with you now-that is quite plain, although he is one of those men

. I will do everything in the world that I can to make him happy. He has raised me out of the dust, and given me to myself again. When I am married to him

irginia," said Miss Dexter; "I hop