break it to him
gradual."

"I'll meet you there. You needn't tell him you're going to be married
all in a minute. He'll find that out for himself very quick. So will
everybody. If a thing's worth doing, try to do it--that's my motto. But,
for the moment, you can say that your affections are given in another
quarter."

"Of course, it's a great thing for me, Richard. I'm very proud of it."

"And so am I. And Job Legg was the dumb instrument, so I am the last to
quarrel with him. Just tell him, that failing another, you might have
thought on him; but that the die is cast; and when he hears his fate,
he'll naturally want to know who 'tis. And then the great secret must
come out. I should reckon after Easter would be a very good time for us
to wed."

"I can't believe my senses," she said.

"You will in a week," he assured her; "and, meanwhile, I shall do my
best to help you. In a week the joyful tidings go out to the people."

He kissed her, shook her hand and squeezed it. Then he departed leaving
Mrs. Northover in the extremity of bewilderment. But pleasure and great
pride formed no small part of her mingled emotions.

One paramount necessity darkened all, however. Nelly felt a very sharp
pang when she thought upon Mr. Legg, and her sufferings increased as the
day advanced until they quite mastered the situation and clouded the
brightness of conquest. Other difficulties and doubts also obtruded as
she began to estimate the immensity of the thing that Mr. Gurd's ardour
had prompted her to do; but Job was the primal problem and she knew that
she could not sleep until she had made her peace with him.

She determined to leave him in no doubt concerning his successful rival.
The confession would indeed make it easier for them both. At least she
hoped it might do so.

He came for keys after closing time and she bade him sit down in the
chair which Richard Gurd had that morning filled. One notes trifles at
the supremest moments of life, and the trifles often stick, while the
great events which accompany them fade into the past. Mrs. Northover
observed that while Richard Gurd had filled the chair--and overflowed,
Mr. Legg by no means did so. He occupied but the centre of the spacious
seat. There seemed a significance in that.

"Sit down, Job, and listen. I've got to say something that will hurt
you, my dear man. I've made my choice, after a good bit of deep thought
I assure you, and I've--I've chosen the other, Job."