Then the squire made another attempt to introduce the subject so abruptly interrupted, by saying-- "I suppose the living of Briarsleigh is not already given away?" "No indeed," was the reply, "although you are correct in your surmises, colonel, respecting the letters I have received; but I never decide hastily on such matters. Come, squire, help yourself, and pass the decanter," added the earl, in a tone far less serious; "and tell me how you have arranged about Henley's farm." This reference stirred up the squire to descant on a personal matter with great gusto, and changed the subject. The gentlemen did not delay to join the ladies in the drawing-room; indeed, very little time elapsed before the visitors had taken their departure. A drive of four or five miles is not very pleasant after ten o'clock on a cold spring night even in a close carriage. And yet how often is a visit of this kind followed by a drive home of even more than ten miles during a night in winter! Lady Dora had taken leave of her guests, and finding herself alone in the drawing-room with her father, she approached him as he stood with his back to the fire in true English fashion, and said-- "Papa, I believe I understand why you dismissed me so suddenly from the table this evening." The earl smiled as he replied-- "Well, my daughter, and what is it you understand?" "Your intentions, papa. You mean to give the living of Briarsleigh to the son of your old tutor." "I have some thoughts of doing so, Dora--at least of making him the offer, although I have had more than one letter on the subject." "Has Dr. Halford written to you?" "No, my dear, he is not a man likely to do so; yet I know the doctor's son is ordained. I saw his name in the list of ordinations. The old rector of Kilburn has given him a title." "Is this son the clever little boy you became acquainted with when you visited Dr. Halford after his daughter's marriage?" "Yes, his youngest and only surviving son, and I have no doubt clever and talented as a man." "Is the living of Briarsleigh a valuable one, papa?" Again the earl smiled. "Why, Dora, you are taking as much interest in this young clergyman as you did in the marriage of his sister so many years ago." Lady Dora did not blush as she had done when, at seventeen, her father had remarked her girlish interest in Fanny Halford's marriage, but she replied-- "Papa, this is a very different matter. I have heard enough of late years to make me feel the greatest sympathy for curates. It seems quite shocking to think of a gentleman with refined manners and a university education being obliged to support himself and perhaps a wife and children on a less income than a mechanic, who has no appearance to keep up."