as frightened of you as if you were fifty. But you mustn't
spoil good company, Nell. I shall like you to keep them at a distance,
but you mustn't go too far; and, above all, my pet, you mustn't put out
the Jew. I calculate on being a lot there; they have a nice house and a
good table, and all that, and Prestwich is glad of somebody to help
about his horses. You mustn't set up any of your airs with the Jew."

"I don't know what you mean by my airs, Phil."

"Oh, but I do, and they're delicious, Nell: half like a little girl and
half like a queen: but it will never do to make the Jew feel small in
her own set. Hallo! there's some one tumbling alone over the stones on
that precious road of yours. I believe it's that cart from the station
after all."

"No," said Elinor, "it is only one of the tradespeople. You certainly
are anxious about those carts from the station, Phil."

"Not a bit!" he said, and then, after a moment, he added, "Yes, on the
whole, I'd much rather the man came, if he's coming while I'm here, and
while you are with me, Nell; for I want you to stick to me, and back me
up. They might think I ought to go after that manager fellow and spoil
the wedding. Therefore mind you back me up."

"I can't think, dear Phil, what there is for me to do. I know nothing
about the business nor what has happened. You never told me anything,
and how can I back you up about things I don't know?"

"Oh, yes, you can," he said, "you'll soon see if the fellow comes; just
you stand by me, whatever I say. You mayn't know--or even I may seem to
make a mistake; but you know me if you don't know the circumstances, and
I hope you can trust me, Nell, that it will be all right."

"But----" said Elinor, confused.

"Don't go on with your buts; there's a darling, don't contradict me.
There is nothing looks so silly to strangers as a woman contradicting
every word a fellow says. I only want you to stand by me, don't you
know, that's all; and I'll tell you everything about it after, when
there's time."

"Tell me about it now," said Elinor; "you may be sure I shall be
interested; there's plenty of time now."

"Talk about business to you! when I've only a single day, and not half
time enough, you little duck, to tell you what a darling you are, and
how I count every hour till I can have you all to myself. Ah, Nell,
Nell, if that day were only here----"

And then Phil turned to those subjects and those methods which cast so
much confus