"You mean—" began the Vicar.
"Yes. I've never been married yet; but there is no especial reason why I shouldn't marry. I am not quite so old as I look, perhaps. How old should you guess me to be? 'Sixty?' Some would have guessed sixty-five. No; I am just over fifty-four—not old at all for a man. And she is over thirty. Nothing out of joint as to age, you see. I have enough money to keep a wife in comfort, and still to be able to give away. Moreover, I am much alone in the world, and she is the same. Why should we not—?"
Mr. Willoughby came to a pause, and the Vicar said heartily, "Why not, indeed?"
"That is the question. It is only an idea in my mind at present; and I can't tell if she could ever care for me. But I want to see more of her, and it is not easy to manage. So I thought I would ask your help. If in the end she isn't willing,—why, I'm no worse off than I have been before."
"Well, I wish you good success; and if there is any way in which I can help matters on, you only have to command me. I wish my sister were here just now, but she isn't. Your best plan really is to interest Mrs. Bateson. She could help you, I don't doubt. I mean, as to arranging for you and Miss Pattison to meet."
"That's an idea worth consideration," Mr. Willoughby remarked.
[CHAPTER XXVI]
MR. WILLOUGHBY'S AFFAIR
"IF I might offer a word of advice, it would be—not to make too much haste," were the parting words of Mr. Gilbert. "Best not to be in a hurry, you know."
Mr. Willoughby resolved to follow this counsel, and on no account to give in to a spirit of impatience.