Strange looked blank; then, suddenly, a thought seemed to strike him. “Why, Henry, I do beg your pardon. You will think us very remiss. You have now mentioned Miss Watkins five times in ten minutes and neither Bell nor I have made the least inquiry about her. We are both a little slow tonight – it is this cold Welsh air – it chills the brain – but now that I have awoken to your meaning I shall be happy to quiz you about her quite as much as you could wish for. Is she fair or dark? A brown complexion or a pale one? Does she favour the piano or the harp? What are her favourite books?”

Henry, who suspected he was being teased, frowned and seemed inclined to say no more about the lady.

Arabella, with a cool look at her husband, took up the inquiries in a gentler style and soon got out of Henry the following information – that Miss Watkins had only lately removed to the neighbourhood of Great Hitherden – that her Christian name was Sophronia – that she lived with her guardians, Mr and Mrs Swoonfirst (persons to whom she was distantly related) – that she was fond of reading (though Henry could not say precisely what) – that her favourite colour was yellow – and that she had a particular dislike of pineapples.

“And her looks? Is she pretty?” asked Strange.

The question seemed to embarrass Henry.

“Miss Watkins is not generally considered one of the first in beauty, no. But then upon further acquaintance, you know – that is worth a great deal. People of both sexes, whose looks are very indifferent at the beginning, may appear almost handsome on further acquaintance. A well-informed mind, nice manners and a gentle nature – all of these are much more likely to contribute to a husband’s happiness than mere transient beauty.”

Strange and Arabella were a little surprized at this speech. There was a pause and then Strange asked, “Money?”

Henry looked quietly triumphant. “Ten thousand pounds,” he said.

“My dear Henry!” cried Strange.

Later, when they were alone, Strange said to Arabella, “As I understand it, Henry is to be congratulated upon his cleverness. It seems that he has found the lady before any one else could. I take it that she has not been overpowered by offers – there is something in her face or figure that protects her from a too universal admiration.”

“But I do not think that it can be only the money,” said Arabella, who was inclined to defend her brother. “I think there must be some liking too. Or Henry would not have thought of it.”

“Oh, I dare say,” said Strange. “Henry is a very good fellow. And, besides, I never interfere, as you know.”

“You are smiling,” said Arabella, “which you have no right to do. I was just as clever as Henry in my time. I do not believe that any one had thought of marrying you, with your long nose and unamiable disposition, until it occurred to me to do so.”