Under these circumstances, it was a great triumph for Amelia to find Mr. Bragg--the respectable, the influential, the _rich_ Mr. Bragg--visiting Mrs. Bransby on a friendly footing, and treating her with marked kindness and respect. Simple though she might be, Amelia was not at all too simple to understand that the millionaire's approbation would carry weight with it. But now the idea of a marriage between Owen and the widow seemed still more delightful than the mere clearing of Mrs. Bransby's character from all aspersions. People had said that, as for _him_, the young man was probably suffering under a temporary infatuation. And that, even supposing the best, and taking the most charitable view of this--_flirtation_, it was out of the question that he should think of marrying a woman of Mrs. Bransby's age, and with five children to support! Why should it be out of the question? Amelia said to herself. The few years' difference in their ages was of no consequence at all. And as to the family--Mr. Bragg would probably take Owen into partnership. He was evidently devotedly fond of them both! She had privately arranged the details of the wedding in her own mind before Owen returned from conducting Mr. Bragg to his cab. When he did so, Mrs. Simpson declared it was time for her to go, and got up from her chair. But between that and her actual departure a great many words had still to intervene. She reverted to the death in the Castlecombe family; made a brief excursion to the report of Captain Cheffington's second marriage, "truly deplorable! But still, or dear Miranda is happily launched among the _élite_ of the _beau_ _monde_, so, perhaps, it is not so bad after all!" And then suddenly added-- "By the way, dear Mrs. Bransby, it _was_ reported that your step-son, Mr. Theodore, intended to withdraw his candidature at the next election. But I am told on the _best_ authority--Mr. Lowe, the political agent--that that is a mistake. So I hope we may see him among the legislators. Quite the figure for it, I'm sure. However, of course, you must know all that news far better than I. I hope to _see_ our dear Miranda before leaving town." Owen observed, with indignation, that the mention of Theodore appeared to have suggested May to her mind. Nor did the circumstance escape Mrs. Bransby. "Do you say you shall see May Cheffington?" she asked.