“That’s just it; isn’t it?”

“There’s quite enough for him and me.”

“I must say you look at the matter in the most disinterested way. I couldn’t bring myself to take it up like that.”

“You haven’t lived the life that I have, Miss Todd, and I don’t suppose you ever feel solitary as I do.”

“Well, I don’t know. We single women have to be solitary sometimes—and sometimes sad.”

“But you’re never sad, Miss Todd.”

“Have you never heard there are some animals, that, when they’re sick, crawl into holes, and don’t ever show themselves among the other animals? Though it is only the animals that do it, there’s a pride in that which I like. What’s the good of complaining if one’s down in the mouth? When one gets old and heavy and stupid, one can’t go about as one did when one was young; and other people won’t care to come to you as they did then.”

“But I had none of that when I was young, Miss Todd.”

“Hadn’t you? Then I won’t say but what you may be right to try and begin now. But, law! what am I talking of? I am old enough to be your mother.”

“I think it so kind of you to talk to me at all.”

“Well, now about Mr Maguire. I don’t think he’s possessed of much of the fat of the land; but that you say you know already?”

“Oh yes, I know all that.”

“And it seems he has lost his curacy?”

“He threw that up himself.”

“I shouldn’t be surprised—but mind I don’t say this for certain—but I shouldn’t be surprised if he owed a little money.”

Miss Mackenzie’s face became rather long.

“What do you call a little, Miss Todd?”

“Two or three hundred pounds. I don’t call that a great deal.”

“Oh dear, no!” and Miss Mackenzie’s face again became cheerful. “That could be settled without any trouble.”

“Upon my word you are the most generous woman I ever saw.”

“No, I’m not that.”

“Or else you must be very much in love?”

“I don’t think I am that either, Miss Todd; only I don’t care much about money if other things are suitable. What I chiefly wanted to know was—”

“About that Miss Floss?”

“Yes, Miss Todd.”

“My belief is there never was a greater calumny, or what I should call a stronger attempt at a do. Mind I don’t think much of your St Stumfolda, and never did. I believe the poor man has never said a word to the woman. Mrs Stumfold has put it into her head that she could have Mr Maguire if she chose to set her cap at him, and, I dare say, Miss Floss has been dutiful to her saint. But, Miss Mackenzie, if nothing else hinders you, don’t let that hinder you.” Then Miss Todd, having done her business and made her report, took her leave.

This was on Saturday. The next day would be Sunday, and then on the following morning she must make her answer. All that she had heard about Mr Maguire was, to her thinking, in his favour. As to his poverty, that he had declared himself, and that she did not mind. As to a few hundred pounds of debt, how was a poor man to have helped such a misfortune? In that matter of Miss Floss he had been basely maligned,—so much maligned, that Miss Mackenzie owed him all her sympathy. What excuse could she now have for refusing him?