"No doubt; but is the eight hundred a year certain?" "Well, three hundred is very certain, because it comes from his father; but the remaining five hundred--well, you know," said Miss Valpy, hopefully, "literature pays so well nowadays, and Toby's in the first flight." "I don't think so much of his literature," observed Mrs. Valpy, stirring her tea. "He may or he may not make the income he says, but the three hundred a year is absolutely certain." "I hope you'll be happy, dear," said Kaituna, gaily. "I, of course, will be bridesmaid." Tommy looked at her friend significantly, and then laughed. "We will be married together," she whispered confidentially. "I'm afraid not. Mr. Maxwell has said nothing----" "No? Then he has looked a good deal." Both girls laughed again, and then Mrs. Valpy began to explain her ideas for Tommy's trousseau, which interested every one. The bride-elect and her mother were staying for a few days at Thornstream, and on this evening were going over to dine at the Vicarage in company with Kaituna and Mrs. Belswin. Clendon _père_ was delighted at the choice of his only son, and was giving this dinner in order to welcome his intended daughter-in-law to his family circle of two. Tommy got on very well with the vicar, who liked her vivacity and brilliant manner so much that he was actually weaned from his beloved library, and the black-letter folios saw less of their owner than they had done since the time when they had been purchased. Mrs. Valpy was also calmly satisfied with her daughter's engagement, as her intended son-in-law was a very delightful young man, and, moreover, had a rich father, the latter fact being the most important in the good lady's eyes. If he dabbled in literature, well, let him do so. It would serve to keep him out of mischief; but as for deriving any solid benefit from novel-writing or play-scribbling, such an idea never entered Mrs. Valpy's head. All she knew was that Toby was a good son, and would make a good husband, besides which he could keep his wife in comfort, so what more could a mother desire? The old lady therefore sat in Kaituna's boudoir, smiling and nodding over her tea, completely satisfied with herself and the world. "By the way," said Kaituna, when the exhaustive subject of Tommy's trousseau had come to an end, "you know of course, Mrs. Valpy, that my father is on his way home." "Yes, dear, I heard something about it," replied the old lady lazily. "When do you expect him for certain?" "In about a fortnight." "So soon?" said Mrs. Belswin to herself. "In that case I have no time to lose." "You'll be glad to see Sir Rupert, I suppose?" asked Tommy, turning to the companion. "Oh, yes, of course! But I'm not sure if I shall be here when he arrives." "Not here!" ejaculated Kaituna, in dismay. "Oh, Mrs. Belswin!" "I have to go up to town, my dear," said that lady, very slowly, "in order to see a--a friend of mine."