Mr. Plowden coloured, but said nothing. “Now you see, Mr. Plowden, I am left in a rather peculiar position as regards my sister; she is younger than I am, and has always been accustomed to look up to me, so, as you will easily understand, I feel my responsibilities to weigh upon me. Consequently, I feel bound to ask you what I am to understand from the report of my informant?” “Simply this, Miss Ceswick: I proposed to your sister, and she refused me.” “Indeed! you were unfortunate that afternoon.” “Miss Ceswick,” went on Mr. Plowden, after a pause, “if I could find means to induce your sister to change her verdict, would my suit have your support?” Florence raised her piercing eyes from her work, and for a second fixed them on the clergyman’s face. “That depends, Mr. Plowden.” “I am well off,” he went on, eagerly, “and I will tell you a secret. I have bought the advowson of this living; I happened to hear that it was going, and got it at a bargain. I don’t think that Halford’s life is worth five years’ purchase.’” “Why do you want to marry Eva, Mr. Plowden,” asked Florence, ignoring this piece of information; “you are not in love with her?” “In love! No, Miss Ceswick. I don’t think that sensible men fall in love; they leave that to boys and women.” “O! Then why do you want to marry Eva? It will be best to tell me frankly, Mr. Plowden.” He hesitated, and then came to the conclusion that, with a person of Florence’s penetration, frankness was the best game. “Well, as you must know, your sister is an extraordinarily beautiful woman.” “And would therefore form a desirable addition to your establishment?” “Precisely,” said Mr. Plowden. “Also,” he went on, “she is a distinguished-looking woman, and quite the lady.” Florence shuddered at this phrase. “And would therefore give you social status, Mr. Plowden?” “Yes. She is also sprung from an ancient family.” Florence smiled, and looked at Mr. Plowden with an air that said more plainly than any words, “Which you clearly are not.” “In short, I am anxious to get married, and I admire your sister Eva more than anybody I ever saw.” “All of which are very satisfactory reasons, Mr. Plowden; all you have to do is to convince my sister of the many advantages you have to offer her, and—to win her affections.” “Ah, Miss Ceswick, that is just the point. She told me that her affections were already irredeemably engaged, and that she had none to give. If only I have the opportunity, however, I shall hope to be able to distance my rival.” Florence looked at him scrutinisingly as she answered: “You do not know Ernest Kershaw, or you would not be so confident.” “Why am I not as good as this Ernest?” he asked; for Florence’s remark, identical as it was with that of Jeremy, wounded his vanity intensely. “Well, Mr. Plowden, I do not want to be rude, but it is impossible for me to conceive a woman’s affections being won away from Ernest Kershaw by you. You are so very _different._”