"Done!" he said, in tones of boundless satisfaction. "Now we come to definite arrangements." He seated himself again, but Virginia remained standing as if something had turned her to stone. "I live a very busy life at Omberleigh," he told her briskly, "farming my own land; and my estate is a big one. I must go down there to-night to superintend the end of the hay harvest, and I must stay there a few days in order to prepare the house for your reception. I should like to be married this day week if that will suit you. As we both live in our own parishes, there will be no difficulty about a licence. It is not possible for me to take a honeymoon at this time of year, so I shall carry you straight back to Derbyshire after the ceremony." "Wait--wait. No, no, Osbert, this is preposterous!" broke in Mrs. Mynors. "This cannot be. Virginia does not know you; she is all unprepared. Such haste is--improper! I will not have it." He looked as obstinate as a mule with its ears laid back. "Sorry," he said. "On this matter I shall be obliged to insist. I must be married before we begin to reap, and it is going to be a very early harvest this year. Don't make difficulties. Remember that you profess to be very hard up, and I don't begin to make you any allowance until your daughter is my wife." Virginia was reflecting. "If they told me I was to have an operation I would rather have it at once, than be left to think about it." She spoke suddenly. "Mother, I can be ready," she said gently. "Let it be as Mr. Gaunt thinks best." "Excellent!" said the bridegroom. "Your mother tells me that she allows you complete independence of action, so we will take this as settled. Is that your solicitor now entering the gate? I will give him my instructions at once with your permission, for I must go back to London by the six train to catch the express to Ashbourne." CHAPTER VIII INTO THE UNKNOWN "_Graceful as an ivy bough Born to cling and lean, Thus she sat to sing and sew.... When she raised her lustrous eyes A beast peeped at the door._"--Christina Rossetti. Mr. Askew stood at the window, watching the figure of the prospective bridegroom limping down the road. He turned his mild eyes back to the two ladies within the room with something like wonder in their depths. "Miss Virginia, I congratulate you," he said almost reverently. "You have indeed found a generous husband." "You think--you are of opinion--that his generosity is exceptional?" faltered Mrs. Mynors. "Exceptional? But, my _dear_ madam, it is unheard of! Strong indeed must be the attachment! He told me," added the kind old man, with a smile of appreciation at the bride-elect, "that it was a case of love at first sight. Miss Virginia has made a conquest worth boasting of!"