"There again I am bound to secrecy, but all will be known."
"Of course the party must have ample means, and I look forward to having a pleasant neighbor—there are very few in the village with whom we can associate, on an equality, and so any good family is an acquisition."
"You are more fastidious than I, Squire Collins," said Mr. Thompson smiling. "I don't value men according to the size of their pocket-books."
"You must admit, however, that refinement and wealth are likely to go together. You are not too democratic for that?"
"I am not sure. I have known many rich people who were very far from being refined. By-the-way, I hear that you have bought the house occupied by Mrs. Manning."
"Yes."
"Shall you allow her to remain there?"
"No; I mean to enlarge it, and let my foreman occupy it."
"That will be a disappointment to Mrs. Manning."
"Oh, I suppose so," said the squire, carelessly; "but that is her lookout, not mine."