"
"Where is he, then?"
"I don't know. At the Three Pigeons, no doubt. He spends most of his
time there now. He flew off in a passion, and talked such nonsense
about marriage settlements, and forbidding the banns, and so on. His
notion of a marriage settlement appears to be a settlement upon the
bride's father. He should wait quietly, and see what can be done for
him."
"I think, Laura, that we must make a good deal of allowance for him,"
said Robert earnestly. "I have noticed a great change in him lately.
I don't think he is himself at all. I must get some medical advice.
But I have been up at the Hall this morning."
"Have you? Have you seen Raffles? Did he send anything for me?"
"He said that he would come down when he had finished his work."
"But what is the matter, Robert?" cried Laura, with the swift perception
of womanhood. "You are flushed, and your eyes are shining, and really
you look quite handsome. Raffles has been telling you something!
What was it? Oh, I know! He has been telling you how he made his
money. Hasn't he, now?"
"Well, yes. He took me partly into his confidence. I congratulate you,
Laura, with all my heart, for you will be a very wealthy woman."
"How strange it seems that he should have come to us in our poverty.
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