Mrs. Godfrey was evidently well used to these messages, for she received it with becoming resignation. "I have ten minutes to spare," she observed serenely, "so you had better order yourself some tea, and we can tell each other our news. By the bye, how long have you been in town?" And when Malcolm told her nearly a month, she seemed surprised. "I made up my mind you were still at Staplegrove," she replied; "though, now I come to think of it, there has certainly been no mention of you in Elizabeth's last two letters. By the bye," turning to him with her customary quickness--but Malcolm was just then studying the menu--"what do you think of this engagement?" "I think it is for me to put the question to you," he returned with admirable sang-froid; but one hand clenched itself so tightly under the table that the marks of the nails were in the palm. "Then I may as well be frank and tell you that I would forbid the banns if I could. Elizabeth ought to have married better--she is far too fine a creature to throw herself away on David Carlyon." "He is a very good fellow," observed Malcolm rather feebly; it was hard lines that he should be expected to discuss this. "Oh yes, he is a good fellow," a little contemptuously. "I remember I liked him very well when we were down at the Wood House this spring; there is nothing to say against the young man, he is as good as gold, and an excellent clergyman; and he is gentlemanly too--both the Carlyons are that; but," very decidedly, "he is not good enough for Elizabeth." Malcolm agreed with every word, but he dared not trust himself to say so; he waited a moment, and then said quietly-- "It seems that Miss Templeton holds a different opinion; she appears quite satisfied with her choice." "Satisfied"--and here Mrs. Godfrey gave a little laugh. "To judge from her letters--and we have been corresponding pretty freely lately--one would think she was a girl in her teens; she is absurdly happy--even Dinah says so. But between you and me I don't believe Dinah is a bit better pleased than the rest of us." "What does the Colonel think?" asked Malcolm, feeling as though he ought to say something. "Oh, Alick always agrees with me, though he expresses his ideas rather differently. He took quite a fancy to Mr. Carlyon, and they were always together last spring; so of course he will not say much--only he will have it that he is not big enough or strong enough for Elizabeth. 'She will master him, and make him look small,' that was what Alick said. They are not to be married until Easter, I hear, and Dinah wishes them to live at the Wood House." Malcolm had never felt anything like the sudden throb of pain that shot through him when Mrs. Godfrey said this; he grew so pale that she rose hastily, thinking the room was too hot for him.