"Mr Prayle has not spoken to Naomi yet," she said, and there was a smile in her eye as she saw the sudden start that Saxby gave, and the look of hope that came back into his countenance as he turned round and faced her. "Does he--does he--care for her very much?" said Saxby. Aunt Sophia hesitated for a few moments, and then seemed to make up her mind. "I don't know," she said; "but I'll speak plainly to you, Saxby, for I like you." "You--Miss Raleigh!--you--like--me?" "Yes. Why shouldn't I?" "Because--because--" "Yes; I know. Because you opposed me sometimes. Well, a woman likes to be opposed. Some stupid people say that a woman likes to have her own way in everything. It isn't true. She likes to find some one who will and who does master her. It's her nature, Saxby, and whenever you find anyone who asserts the contrary, set him or her down as ignorant or an impostor." "But don't raise my hopes, Miss Raleigh, don't, pray, if there's no chance for me." "I'm not going to raise your hopes--not much. I shall only say to you, that I am sorry about my niece's leanings, and that, perhaps, after all, it is but a girlish fancy. If I were a man--" "Yes, Miss Raleigh, if you were a man?" "And cared for a woman, I should never give her up till I saw that my case was quite hopeless." "Miss Raleigh," cried the stockbroker excitedly, "your words are like fresh air in a hot office. One thinks more clearly; life seems better worth living for; and there's a general rise of one's natural stock all over a fellow's market.--Might I kiss your hand?" "No," cried Aunt Sophia; "but you may behave sensibly. Stop down a day or two, and see how the land lies." "May I?" "Yes; I'll answer for your welcome.--And now, mind this: I'm not going to interfere with my niece and her likes and dislikes; but let me give you a bit of advice." "If you would!" exclaimed Saxby. "Then don't go about sighing like a bull-goose. Women don't care for such weak silly creatures. Naomi's naturally weak, and what she looks for in a man is strength both in brain and body." "Yes, I see," said Saxby sadly. "I under stand stocks and shares, but I don't understand women." "Of course you don't. No man yet ever did; not even Solomon, with all his experience; and no man ever will." "But, I thought, Miss Raleigh--I hoped--" "Well, what did you think and hope?" "That you might help me--as an old and trustworthy friend--about Miss Naomi." "Why, bless the boy--man, I mean--if I were to tell Naomi to love you, or that she was to be your wife, she'd do as all girls do." "What's that, Miss Raleigh?" "What's that? Why, go off at a tangent, whatever that may be, and marry Prayle at once." "Ah, yes, I suppose so," faltered Saxby.