“Oh, we will make him like it!” cried Miss Adene brightly. “I will tell him things about Madeira that will make his mouth water. Such rainbows hanging over the hills—such sunsets! And everything so curious and semi-barbaric in the town; and yet every English comfort within doors. Oh, we will make him take to the plan! And it’s a fine place for children; they thrive amazingly there! We can take little Guy with us. But it will leave Ronald rather lonely.” “I expect Ronald will come with us—for a month or two, at least.” “What, in the middle of the hunting season—or the beginning—for I should not be later than October starting!” “Well, I fancy Ronald will come out with us. He is fond of travelling, and is an excellent sailor; and living alone would be a dreary thing for him. He always likes company.” “I wonder he does not marry. Is he engaged?” “No; we sometimes wish he would choose a good wife for himself. Since he came into that nice little property and income from their eccentric old uncle who died two years ago, he could very well afford a comfortable establishment. But he lets his house on a yearly tenancy and stays on here to be with Guy; and what we should have done without him this past year I cannot imagine. Still, if Guy gets back his health again, and can take up his own work for himself, it would really be better for Ronald to marry and settle down on his own property. But he has never shown any disposition to fall in love.” “He would have no difficulty in getting a wife,” said Miss Adene with a little laugh. “He is a fascinating boy, and very good company, as well as so good-looking.” “I’m afraid that’s partly it,” said Lady Dumaresq, laughing. “The girls are all too willing and ready. He is quite the catch of the county; and perhaps they court him a little too much. It bores him, and, though he always makes himself universally agreeable and popular, he takes very good care not to be ‘hooked,’ or ‘booked,’ or whatever you call it. He treats all the girls alike in a provoking sort of way—provokingly equal and friendly. It would do him good, I think, to fall in love and feel a little qualm of anxiety as to his fate. He’s wonderfully unspoiled, all things considering; but it’s never quite good for a young man to feel he has only to throw the handkerchief.” Miss Adene nodded sagely. “That’s quite true. It is a wonder he has kept from growing conceited and affected. But he’s a thoroughly nice boy, and a good one too, I think. He does not speak lightly or sneeringly of women. I always think that is a good test. In these days it is such a fashion to sneer at everything.”