"No, no—not so selfish as that, sir. Good night."
"Good night."
The good-looking young man did not wait to see the result of his father's mission; he glanced for a moment at Mattie, and then took his departure, leaving the stately old gentleman confronting her at the counter.
"This is Mr. Wesden's, stationer, I believe?" he asked, surveying Mattie through his glasses.
"Yes, sir."
"A Mr. Hinchford lives here?"
"Yes, sir."
"Is he within?"
"Not the old gentleman, I believe, sir."
"As I have not come hither to base my hopes of an interview on the belief of a black-eyed shop-girl, will you be kind enough to inquire?"