a surprise he became a little dazzled. Sudden soul movements of
such force and complexity made Richard Gurd selfish. It is a fact, that
before he went at the appointed time to see the mistress of 'The Seven
Stars,' he had forgotten all about Job Legg and was entirely concerned
with his own tremendous project. Full grown and complete at all vital
points it sprang from his energetic brain. He had reached the high
personal ambition of wanting to marry Mrs. Northover himself, and their
friendship of many years had been so complete, that he felt sanguine
from the moment that his great determination dawned.

But she spoke and quickly reminded him of what she was expecting.

"And how d'you think about it? Shall it be, or shan't it, Richard?"

They were in the private parlour.

"Leave that," he said. "I can assure you that little affair is already a
thing of the past. In fact, my mind has moved such a long way since you
came to see me yesterday, that I'd forgot what you came about. But,
after all, that was the starting point. Now a very curious thing has
fallen out, and looking back, I can only say that the wonder is it
didn't fall out long years ago."

"It did, so far as he was concerned," explained Mrs. Northover. "Mr.
Legg has been hoping for this for years."

"The Lord often chooses a fool to light the road of the wise, my dear.
Not that Job's a fool, and a more self-respecting man you won't find. In
fact I shall always feel kindly to your potman, for, in a manner of
speaking, you may say he's helped to show me my own duty."

"I dare say he has; he's a lesson to us all."

"He is, but, all the same, it's confounding class with class to think of
him as a husband for you. Not that I've got any class prejudice myself.
You can't keep a hotel year in, year out, and allow yourself the luxury
of class prejudice; but be that as it may, Legg, though he adorns his
class, wouldn't adorn ours in my opinion. And yet I'll say this: I
believe it was put to him by Providence to offer for you, so that you
might be lifted to higher things."

"Speak English, my dear man. I don't exactly know what you're talking
about. But I suppose you mean I'd better not?"

Mrs. Northover was a little disappointed and Richard perceived it.

"Be calm, and don't let me sweep you off your feet as I've been swept
off mine," he answered. "Since I discovered marriage was a possibility
in your mind, I am obliged to confess that it's grown up to be a
poss