He bent to kiss her. Not in the stolen manner he had been accustomed to, but--quietly, gravely, turning her shy face to his, as if it were his legal province so to do. "A little while, young lady," he saucily whispered, "and you will be giving me kiss for kiss." Mr. Hastings was in the porch still, holding a colloquy with ill-doing and troublesome Mrs. Bond. George held out his hand as he passed. "You have not rested yourself," said the Rector. "I shall get back as far as the bank and rest there," replied George. "I presume, sir, that you intend to see my brother?" "And also Miss Godolphin," curtly said the Rector. His eyes followed George down the path to the gate, as he and his stick moved unsteadily along. "Marry now!" mentally cried Mr. Hastings, his brow contracting: "he looks more fit to take to his bed, and keep it. Now, Mrs. Bond," he added aloud, "let me hear the conclusion of this fine tale." George took his way to the bank. He had not passed it in coming, having cut across from Ashlydyat by the nearer way at the back of the town. He took them by surprise. Mr. Crosse was out, but the clerks were warm in their congratulations; they had not believed him yet equal to the exertion. "You look very tired," said Thomas, when they were alone in the bank parlour. "I feel fagged to death," was George's answer. "I must get you to send out for a fly for me, and go home in that. Thomas," he continued, plunging into his business abruptly, "I expect you will have an application made to you, regarding me." "In what way?" quietly asked Thomas. "Well--it is not exactly a certificate of character that's required," returned George, with a smile. "I--I am thinking of getting married. Will you approve of it?" "I have no right to disapprove," said Thomas, in a kind, grave tone. "You are your own master; free to act as you shall judge best. I only hope, George, that you will, in choosing, consider your future happiness." "Has it never occurred to you that I have chosen?" "I used to think at times that you had chosen, or felt inclined to choose, Maria Hastings." "Right," said George. "I have been speaking to Mr. Hastings, and it appears to have taken him entirely by surprise. He would give me no answer until he should have ascertained whether the alliance would be agreeable to you and Janet. He is a man of crotchets, you know. So I expect he will be coming to you, Thomas." Thomas Godolphin's eyes lighted up with pleasure. "He shall receive my hearty approval," he said, warmly. "George"--changing his tone to sadness--"in the days gone by I thought there were two young beings superior to the rest of the world: Ethel and Maria." "I said so to Mr. Hastings. I conclude he fears that Maria's want of fortune would render her unpalatable to my family," remarked George.