"I don't think Ida values money so much as all that," said Bess gravely. "She would have married you without a sixpence. But I am glad all the same that the money came to you so soon. It is nice to be rich."
"So it is," admitted Stephen gladly. "I can buy whatever books I like."
Bess laughed at this speech. "I am afraid you will grow into a bookworm."
"No. Jim has got me out of bad habits in that respect. At one time I did nothing but read. Now I ride and swim and box and fence and shoot----"
Bess started at the last word. It gave her the opening she desired. "Are you a good shot?" she asked.
"I was always a good shot," said Stephen coolly, "that is, with a pistol. I never handled a gun until I came here."
"I did not know you had ever handled a pistol either?"
"Oh yes, I did. Young Capron gave me permission to shoot rabbits on his estate ages ago. I could not afford to buy a gun, but I did manage to get enough money to screw out a revolver--and a very good one. I believe it was brought here from Beorminster, unless Petronella overlooked it. But I have not used it for over a year. Rabbit shooting with a pistol is not much fun especially when one is alone."
"I should like to see the pistol," said Bess, after a pause.
"Go over then to the box behind that screen," said Stephen, "if it is anywhere it will be in there. There are all sorts of odds and ends, rag tag and bobtail of my former existence."