The Squire thought for a moment. Then he put his question point-blank. "Does Dick want to marry this woman, or doesn't he?"
"If you had asked me that two days ago," replied Humphrey glibly, "I should have smiled at the idea. Now, I believe he does."
"What has made you change your mind, then?"
"Well, his getting her down here, for one thing. Then, as I told you, he was furious with me for letting out what I did about her. In fact, if I hadn't kept my head we should have had a devil of a row about it; and Dick and I have never had a row since we were kids."
The Squire digested this information. It confirmed his worst fears and made his heart the heavier. "Can't you help to stop it?" he asked shortly. "You and he have always been pretty good friends."
"I can't do any more than the twins could," replied Humphrey. "As I told you, we nearly had a row about it as it is. If I tried to interfere we should have one without a doubt."
"I suppose you don't want a thing like that to happen in the family?" asked the Squire, throwing him a side glance.
"Of course I don't want it," said Humphrey. "I've nothing against the lady as she is, but I don't want her for a sister-in-law."
"I should think not," said the Squire emphatically. "Well, I suppose I'm the only person who can stop it, and by George! I will."
Again he stroked the greys with his whip, and their pace quickened. "Look here, Humphrey," he said, "tell me how on earth I can stop it."