Miss Churchill came over with the barouche and took the elders riding. It was a lovely afternoon late in May, and the whole world was abloom with beauty and sweetness.
She and Fanny had dropped in one day at Mrs. Ryder’s and had a charming call. Afterward Fan had whispered the secret.
“The young man is to be congratulated;” declared Miss Churchill. “She will make a pretty, cheerful wife, and that will be much to a man like Mr. Fairlie. I am glad he has been so sensible and I must see more of her before she leaves her old station. My dear, I am afraid I shall turn into a regular village gossip, I am so fond of young girls and their affairs.”
It began to be guessed at elsewhere as well, for the two went out driving now and then of an afternoon.
Allie West and Dora Hyde were over one evening and it happened to be touched upon.
“I don’t believe there is anything in it;” exclaimed Dora. “Dick Fairlie will not throw himself away in that style! Why, he could have the best in the town with that handsome place of his.”
“I am sure Jennie is quite pretty;” said Fan, “and nicely educated. She reads French and German, is well up in history and house-keeping, sings beautifully and sews in the same fashion. What better can a man want?”
“O, you know what I mean! And she is poor.”
“He has enough for both. And the Ryders are a respectable old family.”
“I know she is a favorite of yours,” returned Dora loftily, “but I never discovered anything special about her. And I do not see how she can leave her mother, I should think her duty would be there.”