"I suppose not," said Mrs. Castlemaine, assuming that her brother-in-law alluded in an indirect way to his daughter's approaching marriage. "When once you have lost Mary Ursula, there will be nobody to hold, festivities for."
"No," said the banker, absently.
"I suppose it will be very soon now."
"What will be soon?"
"The wedding. James thinks it will be after Easter."
"Oh--ay--the wedding," spoke Mr. Peter Castlemaine, with the air of a man who has just caught up some recollection that had slipped from him. "I don't know yet: we shall see: no time has been decided on."
"Close as his brother" thought Mrs. Castlemaine. "No likelihood, that he will disclose anything unless he chooses."
"Will James be coming in to Stilborough to-morrow?" asked the banker.
"I'm sure I cannot tell. He goes out and comes in, you know, without any reference to me. I should fancy he would not be coming in, unless he has anything to call him. He has not seemed well to-day; he thinks he has caught a cold."
"Ah, then I daresay that's the secret of his staying at home to-night," said Mr. Peter Castlemaine.