“Yes.”

“Horrid old man, isn’t he?”

“I know him very slightly.”

“And the man—who’s he?”

“Mr. Calder Wentworth.”

“To be sure. Why, they’re engaged, aren’t they? I saw it in the paper.”

“I’m sure I don’t know,” said Mr. Taylor, in a voice more troubled than the matter seemed to require. “I saw it in the paper too.”

“He’s no beauty, at any rate; but he’s a great match, I suppose?”

“Oh, perhaps it isn’t true.”

“You speak as if you wished it wasn’t. I’ve heard about Mr. Wentworth from Victor Sutton—you know who I mean?” and Mrs. Marland proceeded to give some particulars of Calder Wentworth’s career.