Mechanically she gave him hers. The voice that addressed her was a little husky, and very cheery. The hand that took hers was small and soft, yet kind and firm. A merry, friendly smile lit up his eyes and face as he spoke. Hester could not help liking him at first sight—yet felt a little shy of him. She thought she had heard her mother speak of a cousin somewhere abroad. This must be he.

“You don’t remember me,” he said, “seeing you were not yet in this world for a year or two after I left the country. And, to tell the truth, had I been asked, I should have objected to your appearance on any terms.”

As his words did not seem to carry much enlightenment, he went on to explain. “The fact is, my dear young lady, that I left the country because your mother and I were too much of one mind.”

“Of one mind?” said Hester bewildered.

“The thing, you see,” said the major, standing before her with polite yet confident bearing, “was that I loved your mother better than myself, but it was not to be. It was not an arrangement for my happiness. I had the choice between two things—staying at home and breaking my heart by seeing her marry another man, or going away and getting over it the best I could. So I must, by nature, be your sworn enemy—only it’s of no use, for I’ve fallen in love with you at first sight. So now if you will ask me to sit down, I will swear to let bygones be bygones, and be your true knight and devoted servant as long as I live. How you do remind me of your mother, only by Jove, you’re twice as lovely!”

“Do please sit down, Mr. Marley—”

“Marvel,” interrupted the major, “and if you could let me have a glass of water with a little sherry just to take the taste off it, I should be greatly obliged to you.”

As he spoke he wiped his round head with a red silk handkerchief.

“I will get it at once, and let my mother know you are here,” said Hester, turning to the door.

“No, no, never mind your mother. I daresay she is busy or lying down. She always went to lie down at this time of the day. I shouldn’t wonder if she thought me troublesome in those days. But I bear no malice now, and I hope she doesn’t, either. Tell her I say so. It’s more than twenty-five years ago, though to me it hardly seems more than so many weeks. Don’t disturb your mother, my dear. But if you insist on doing so, tell her old Harry has come to see her—very much improved since she sent him about his business.”