Miss Ley, amused at the doctor’s bluntness, concealed a smile; but Bertha, getting rather angry, thought him singularly rude. “And what have you against him?” she asked. “If you want to make a fool of yourself, he’s got no right to encourage you. He knows he isn’t a fit match for you.” “Why not, if I love him?” “Why not!” shouted Dr. Ramsay. “Because he’s the son of a farmer--like I am--and you’re Miss Ley of Court Leys. Because a man in that position without fifty pounds to his back doesn’t make love on the sly to a girl with a fortune.” “Five thousand acres which pay no rent,” murmured Miss Ley, who was always in opposition. “You have nothing whatever against him,” retorted Bertha; “you told me yourself that he had the very best reputation.” “I didn’t know you were asking me with a view to matrimony.” “I wasn’t. I care nothing for his reputation. If he were drunken and idle and dissolute I’d marry him, because I love him.” “My dear Bertha,” said Miss Ley, “the doctor will have an apoplectic fit if you say such things.” “You told me he was one of the best fellows you knew, Dr. Ramsay,” said Bertha. “I don’t deny it,” cried the doctor, and his red cheeks really had in them a purple tinge that was quite alarming. “He knows his business and he works hard, and he’s straight and steady.” “Good heavens, Doctor,” cried Miss Ley, “he must be a miracle of rural excellence. Bertha would surely never have fallen in love with him if he were faultless.” “If Bertha wanted an agent,” Dr. Ramsay proceeded, “I could recommend no one better, but as for marrying him----“ “Does he pay his rent?” asked Miss Ley. “He’s one of the best tenants we’ve got,” growled the doctor, somewhat annoyed by Miss Ley’s frivolous interruptions. “Of course in these bad times,” added Miss Ley, who was determined not to allow Dr. Ramsay to play the heavy father with too much seriousness, “I suppose about the only resource of the respectable farmer is to marry his landlady.” “Here he is!” interrupted Bertha. “Good God, is he coming here?” cried her guardian. “I sent for him. Remember he is going to be my husband.” “I’m damned if he is!” said Dr. Ramsay. Chapter IV Bertha threw off her troubled looks and the vexation which the argument had caused her. She blushed charmingly as the door opened, and with the entrance of the fairy prince her face was wreathed in smiles. She went towards him and took his hands. “Aunt Polly,” she said, “this is Mr. Edward Craddock.... Dr. Ramsay you know.” He shook hands with Miss Ley and looked at the doctor, who promptly turned his back on him. Craddock flushed, and sat down by Miss Ley. “We were talking about you, dearest,” said Bertha. The pause at his arrival had been disconcerting, and while Craddock was rather nervously thinking of something to say, Miss Ley made no effort to help him. “I have told Aunt Polly and Dr. Ramsay that we intend to be married four weeks from to-day.”