don't like the fragrance of that kind of cash. But if the girl really is
plain, "a toad," nothing may happen. On the other hand, Jephson is sure
to hear about her position from local gossip--that she is rich, and so
on. Perhaps she is not so very plain. They are sure to meet, or Mrs.
Nicholson will bring them together in her tactful way. She has not much
time to lose if the girl's glass ball yarn is true, and it _may_ be true
by a fluke. Jephson is rather bitten by a taste for all that
"teleopathy" business, as the old Malaprop calls it. On the whole, I
shall say no more to him, but let him play the game, if he goes to
Walton, off his own bat.'

Presently Merton received a note from Jephson dated 'The Perch, Walton-on-
Dove.' Jephson expressed his gratitude; the place suited his purpose
very well. He had taken a brace and a half of trout, 'bordering on two
pounds' ('one and a quarter,' thought Merton). 'And, what won't interest
_you_,' his letter said, 'I have run across a curiously interesting
subject, what _you_ would call _hysterical_. But what, after all, is
hysteria?' &c., &c.

'_L'affaire est dans le sac_!' said Merton to himself. 'Jephson and Miss
Monypenny have met!'

Weeks passed, and one day, on arriving at the office, Merton found Miss
Willoughby there awaiting his arrival. She was the handsome Miss
Willoughby, Jephson's betrothed, a learned young lady who lived but
poorly by verifying references and making researches at the Record
Office.

Merton at once had a surmise, nor was it mistaken. The usual greetings
had scarcely passed, when the girl, with cheeks on fire and eyes aflame,