"I don't mind. But you know how the land lies--so far as I am concerned, that is. But you will have to reckon with Francis Hest."
"Miss Hest's brother?"
"The same. Francis and Frances--twins, with twin names, you might say. She is devoted to this more than brother, and wishes him to marry money."
"Do you mean to say that Miss Hest has taken Miss Dimsdale down to Gerby Hall so that she may meet Mr. Hest?"
"Yes. He's not a bad-looking fellow: exactly like his sister, who is handsome in an imperial way, as you have seen. In fact, if you see Frances you have seen Francis. The brother isn't very well off, as he has spent all his available cash in philanthropic works, and constructing some confounded dam to supply water to several villages has nearly ruined him. Miss Dimsdale's money will therefore come in very acceptably. But I fear Hest will waste it in helping the poor; he's ridiculously crazy about doing what he calls good."
"It's ridiculous," muttered the Colonel crossly. "Miss Dimsdale doesn't know this man Hest."
"Frances will see to that. Now that Miss Dimsdale is at the Hall she will have every opportunity of seeing him. Miss Hest will throw them together on every occasion. Upon my word," Maunders rose and stretched himself, "were I you, Colonel, I should go down to Gerby Hall and look after matters."
"Thanks for your advice," said Towton picking up the magazine again, "and good-day to you, Mr. Maunders."
"This is what comes of my trying to help you," observed the young man with a shrug. "I do what I can and you throw my philanthropy in my face."
"No! no!" Towton's conscience smote him, for really Maunders had done him a distinct service, and also he had announced that Ida had refused him, which was excellent news. "I thank you for what you have told me. It is probable that I shall go down to Gerby Hall at the end of the week."