"You have no need to be, Colonel."
"Eh! what?" The Colonel stopped abruptly and his eyes sparkled. "Do you mean to say that he has ceased to court Miss Dimsdale? Well, well," he went on, without waiting for a reply, "I shouldn't wonder. I might have guessed as much, for three or four times I have been to the Corsoons, and Maunders was always there, making furious love to that pretty Lucy of theirs. You had better look after her, if you intend to make her your wife, Vernon."
"Lady Corsoon always receives me so coldly, that I scarcely dare call," confessed the young man dismally. "I daresay Maunders has put a spoke in my wheel in that quarter."
"Yes; but, hang it, he can't mean to marry both girls?"
"You forget what I hinted just now, Towton. Mrs. Bedge assured me, and with great grief, as she wants the marriage to take place, that Miss Dimsdale has ceased to care for her nephew."
Only military self-control prevented the Colonel from throwing his tall hat in the air. "I thought she was kinder to me to-day," he said jubilantly, "and she never mentioned Maunders' name, now I think of it. Do you believe that I have a chance, Vernon?"
"A better one than ever you had," replied Vernon heartily, "and you may be sure I shall endeavour to aid you in every way. But, by the way, how is Miss Dimsdale? I have seen her only once since the burial of her father, and, of course, then she was overcome with grief."
Towton thought for a moment before replying. "To tell you the truth, Vernon, I don't think that dark-browed young woman is a good companion for her in any way."
"Why not?" Vernon was rather struck that Mrs. Bedge and the Colonel should unknowingly agree on this point. "She is clever?"
"Oh, I daresay, and, if you ask me, a sight too clever," grumbled the Colonel, shouldering his thin umbrella like a gun. "Ida--well, I can call her Ida to you, since we have become so friendly--Ida is a charming girl, but not strong-minded. I shouldn't seek her for my wife if she were, as I hate masterful women. Miss Hest is of that sort, and she seems to have too much control over Ida. In fact--I may be wrong, and I wouldn't say this to anyone but yourself--but it's a kind of hypnotism."