"Ho, ho! I know the young lady. She is a parishioner of mine. Her father came into the title a year ago, and has gone out to New Zealand again, leaving his daughter in charge of Mrs. Belswin." "Mrs. Belswin?" "Yes! a very charming lady who acts as chaperon." "Poor Archie." "What, are you afraid of the dragon who guards the golden apples?" said the bookworm with great good humour. "Pooh! pooh! in my time young men were not such faint-hearted lovers. If he really adores this nymph of the ocean--she comes from New Zealand I believe--he'll soon propitiate the dragon." "Is it an amiable dragon?" "Humph! I'm afraid not! Your Hercules must be stout-hearted." "What a pity Mrs. Valpy and her daughter are not the chaperons still." "Eh! why I think Miss Valpy requires a chaperon herself, but perchance no Hercules eyes that golden fruit." Silence on the part of Tobias, and a blush on his cheek. "Tobias! Tobias," said his father, with uplifted finger, "you've been looking over the garden wall of the Hesperides, and the golden fruit of the Valpys tempts you. Eh! my son, you also are in love--with Miss Valpy." "Yes." "And your friend is in love with Miss Pethram." "Yes." "And you both intend to stay with me for a time, so as to be near your inamoratas." "If you please, father." Mr. Clendon smiled grimly and finished his glass of port, which he really felt he needed. "Cupid! Cupid! what have I done that thus I should be Sir Pandarus of Troy in my old age. Tobias, go to bed." "Good-night, father;" and he vanished. Sir Pandarus groaned. "Farewell, oh, lovely peace! I dwell no more under the shade of thy desirable olive. Four lovers in one parish, and I the vicar thereof. Alas! Alas! The Prodigal Son I sent abroad with curses has returned, and he hath brought back his curse with him. Eheu infelici." CHAPTER VI. THE DRAGON. "An elderly dragon with cold grey eyes, Tongue that gibes at a lover rash, Ears quite deaf to pathetic sighs Uttered by men who are scant of cash. "But when a millionaire comes to woo, The dragon inspires him not with fear. Her sole idea of love that is true Is measured by so many pounds a year."