isdom of keeping on good terms with a rich relation.
It was as yet quite on the cards that the Batsby money might come to
some of the Albury scions.

But the Captain was anxious to provide himself with a wife who might
be the mother of scions of his own. In fact he had fallen fearfully
in love with Ayala, and was quite resolved to ask her to be his wife
when he found that she was just on the point of flying from Stalham.
He had intended to be quicker in his operations, but had lacked
opportunity. On that last hunting-day the Colonel had always been
still in his way, and circumstances had never seemed to favour him
when he endeavoured to have a few words in private with the young
lady. Then she was gone, and he could only learn respecting her that
she lived with her aunt, Mrs. Dosett, in Kingsbury Crescent.

"I'm blessed if Benjamin isn't smitten with that girl!" Benjamin was
Captain Batsby, and that girl was of course Ayala Dormer. The man
who blessed himself was Sir Harry Albury, and the observation was
addressed to his wife. This took place within an hour of Ayala's
departure from Stalham.

"Benjamin in love with Ayala Dormer! I don't believe a word of it,"
said Lady Albury. It was not surprising that she should not believe
it. There was her special favourite, Colonel Stubbs, infatuated
by the same girl; and, as she was aware, Tom Tringle, the heir of
Travers and Treason, was in the same melancholy condition. And, after
all, according to her thinking, there was nothing in the girl to
justify all this fury. In her eyes Ayala was pretty, but no more. She
would have declared that Ayala had neither bearing, nor beauty, nor
figure. A bright eye, a changing colour, and something of vivacity
about her mouth, was all of which Ayala had to boast. Yet here were
certainly the heir of the man of millions, and that Crichton of a
Colonel, both knocked off their legs. And now she was told that
Captain Batsby, who always professed himself hard to please in the
matter of young ladies, was in the same condition. "Do you mean to
say he told you?" she asked.

"No," said Sir Harry; "he is not at all the man to do that. In such a
matter he is sure to have a great secret, and be sure also to let his
secret escape in every word that he speaks. You will find that what I
say is truth."

Before the day was out Lady Albury did find her husband to be
correct. Captain Batsby, though he was very jealous of his secret,
acknowledged to himself