the conspectus, then the details," he added delightedly. "So you
have been to the Isle of Thorns?" he went on. "I want to rake out
the old fellow up there some day--but Cousin Anne won't allow it--
you must persuade her; and we will have a splendid field-day there,
unearthing all the old boy's arrangements; I am sure he has never
been disturbed."

"I am afraid I agree with my aunt," said Howard, shaking his head.

"Ah, Maud has been getting at you, I perceive," said the Vicar. "A
very feminine view! Now in the interests of ethnology we ought to
go forward--dear me, how full the world is of interesting things!"

They parted in great good-humour. The whole party were to dine at
the Manor next day; and Howard, as he said good-bye to Maud,
contrived to add, "Now you must tell me to-morrow that you have
made a beginning." She gave him a little nod, and a clasp of the
hand that made him feel that he had a new friend.

That evening he talked to his aunt about Maud. He told her all
about their walk and talk. "I am very glad you gave her something
to do," she said--"that is so like a man! That is just where I
fail. She is a very interesting and delightful girl, Howard; and
she is not quite happy at home. Living with Cousin Frank is like
living under a waterfall; and Jack is beginning to have his own
plans, and doesn't want anyone to share them. Well, you amaze me! I
suppose you get a good deal of practice in these things, and become
a kind of amateur father-confessor. I think of you at Cambridge as
setting the lives of young men spinning like little tops--small
human teetotums. It's very useful, but it is a little dangerous! I