Therefore, when the matter came to the ears of Jane's parents, they
determined to forego the outward expression of their pride and delight
in the captive whom they owed to the bow and spear of their daughter's
loveliness, at any rate for a while, say until Leonard had taken his
degree. Often and often in the after-years did they have occasion to
bless themselves for their caution. But not the less on this account was
Leonard's position as the affianced lover of their daughter recognised
among them; indeed, the matter was no secret from anybody, except
perhaps from Sir Thomas himself. For his part, Leonard took no pains
to conceal it even from him; but the father and son met rarely, and the
estrangement between them was so complete, that the younger man saw no
advantage in speaking of a matter thus near to his heart until there
appeared to be a practical object in so doing.

The Rev. James Beach was a stout person of bland and prepossessing
appearance. Never had he looked stouter, more prepossessing, or blander
than on this particular evening when Leonard was ushered into his
presence. He was standing before the fire in his drawing-room holding a
huge and ancient silver loving-cup in both hands, and in such a position
as to give the observer the idea that he had just drained its entire
contents. In reality, it may be explained, he was employed in searching
for a hall-mark on the bottom of the goblet, discoursing the while
to his wife and children--for Jane had a brother--upon its value and
beauty. The gleam of the silver caught Leonard's eye as he entered
the room, and he recognised the cup as one of the heirlooms of his own
family.

Leonard's sudden and unlooked-for advent brought various emotions into
active play. There were four people gathered round that comfortable
fire--the rector, his wife, his son, and last, but not least, Jane