"No one could know my daughter without being fond of her," said Sir John stiffly. "Of course not; and that's why I want to make sure." "Humph!" ejaculated Sir John. "You've a good income, my boy, and you're a fine, sound fellow; but I don't much like the idea of my little Glynne marrying into the army." "Oh, but I shall only stay in till I get my commission as major; and then I mean to retire and become a country squire." "Humph! yes; and go in more for athleticism, I suppose." "Well, I think an English country gentleman ought to foster the sports and pastimes of his native land--the hunt, the race meetings, and that sort of thing." "Humph! Do you? Well, I think, my boy, that we ought to take to agriculture and the improvement of stock. But there, I daresay you'll tone down." "Then you have no objection, Sir John?" "Who?--I? None at all, my boy; I liked your father, and I hope you'll make her a good husband--as good a husband as I did my poor wife; though, as the common folk say, I say it as shouldn't say it. Now then, have you any more questions to ask?" "No, I don't think I have. Of course I'm very happy and that sort of thing. A fellow is sure to be at such a time, you know." "Yes, yes, of course. To be sure. Then that's all is it?" "Yes, sir." "Don't want to ask questions about settlements, eh?" "No, I don't want to ask any questions. I want Glynne, and you say I may have her; so that's all." "Come along then, and see my pigs." Captain Robert Rolph looked a little chagrined at the suggestion respecting pigs; but he concealed his annoyance and walked briskly on beside his companion, Sir John Day, Bart of Brackley Hall, Surrey, a grey, florid, stoutly-built gentleman, whose aspect betokened much of his time being spent in the open air. He was an intent, bright, bustling-looking man, with grey, mutton-chop whiskers; and his drab-cord trousers, brown velveteen coat and low-crowned, grey hat, gave quite a country squire, country-town-bench turn to his appearance. "I've great faith in these pigs," he said, sharply. "Been at a deal of trouble to get hold of the breed, and if I don't take a cup at the Agricultural Show this year, I shall be down upon some of those judges-- in the _Times_." "Ah, 'tis disappointing when you've set your mind upon a cup and don't get it," said the captain. "How many have you won, Sir John?" "What, cups? Thirty-four, my boy, thirty-four." "Ah, I've got fifty," said the captain, with a touch of pride in his tone. "When I go in training for anything, I always say to myself, I shall put it off, and I pretty generally do." "Humph! yes," said Sir John, shortly; "so I suppose. Oh, by the way though, Rolph, you'd oblige me very much by going back to the house. I'll show you the pigs another day." "Certainly, certainly," said the young man with alacrity.