He told his sister what had happened next morning, when Martin Lister had
left the breakfast table to hold audience with his farm bailiff, and
those two were together alone. He was a little tired of having his visits
to the cottage criticised in Mrs. Lister's somewhat supercilious manner,
and was very glad to be able to announce that Marian Nowell was to be his
wife.

"Well, Gilbert," exclaimed the matron, after receiving his tidings with
tightly-closed lips and a generally antagonistic demeanour, "I can only
say, that if you must marry at all--and I am sure I thought you had quite
settled down as a bachelor, with your excellent lodgings in Wigmore
Street, and every I possible comfort in life--I think you might have
chosen much better than this. Of course, I don't want to be rude or
unpleasant; but I cannot help saying, that I consider any man a fool who
allows himself to be captivated by a pretty face."

"I have found a great deal more than a pretty face to admire in Marian
Nowell."

"Indeed! Can you name any other advantages which she possesses?"

"Amiability, good sense, and a pure and refined nature."

"What warrant have you for all those things? Mind, Gilbert, I like the
girl well enough; I have nothing to say against her; but I cannot help
thinking it a most unfortunate match for you."

"How unfortunate?"