prospective courtship--nothing at all resembling a courtship in this
case, believe me. Mrs. Branston knows that I like and admire her. She
knows as much of almost every man who goes to Rivercombe; for there are
plenty who will be disposed to go in against me for the prize by-and-by.
But I think that she likes me better than any one else, and that the
chances will be all in my favour. From first to last there has not been a
word spoken between us which old Branston himself might not hear. As to
Adela's marrying again when he is gone, he could scarcely be so fatuous
as not to foresee the probability of that."

"Is she pretty?"

"Very pretty, in rather a childish way, with blue eyes and fair hair. She
is not my ideal among women, but no man ever marries his ideal. The man
who has sworn by eyes as black as a stormy midnight and raven hair
generally unites himself to the most insipid thing in blondes, and the
idolater of golden locks takes to wife some frizzy-haired West Indian
with an unmistakable dip of the tar-brush. When will you go down to
Rivercombe?"

"Whenever you like."

"The nabob is hospitality itself, and will be delighted to see you if he
is to the fore when you go. I fancy there is some kind of regatta--a race
or two, at any rate--on Saturday afternoon. Will that suit you?"

"Very well indeed."

"Then we can meet at the station. There is a train down at 2.15. But we
are going to see something of each other in the meantime, I hope. I know