‘I could fancy falling in love with a man like Phil,’ said Maud, following out her own train of thought. ‘He is so manly, and so strong, and so gentle, and he just goes his own way, and everything seems to give way to him; and yet he isn’t a bit selfish, and he is always thinking of other people, and doing kind things. And he isn’t afraid of Uncle Belassis nor of anybody else; and he doesn’t talk about himself, nor bother everybody with interminable traveller’s tales. And he is big and handsome, and dresses himself properly without being a bit of a dandy; and he has such nice manners, and is always just as polite to you or to me, though we are his relations, as to the fine ladies of the county. Oh yes, I could fancy being very much in love with a man like Phil; but he’s my brother, you see, and there is not likely to be another one anywhere within reach.’ ‘Well, then, my dear, you had better remain an old maid until a second Phil appears.’ Maud shook her head dubiously. ‘I would wait if I could, and never bother myself about it, for I’m very happy as we are; but I can’t. I must decide about Lewis. I shall be twenty-four almost directly, and then I shall be expected to make up my mind.’ ‘You don’t love him, Maud; so don’t marry him.’ ‘But I do _like_ him, Aunt Olive. Sometimes I like him very much. And then there is papa’s will and the money—my money. Aunt Olive, I should so hate to be poor.’ ‘You will have five thousand in any case, and Phil will never let you be poor.’ But five thousand is very little, and I don’t like to be dependent on Phil always. Besides, I _ought_ to have the money—it really is mine. Lewis knows it as well as I do; and papa must have wanted me to marry him very much. Lewis says that Uncle Belassis will give him as much as I have when we marry—that will make thirty thousand. We could have a very nice house and everything we want in reason then. We are not extravagant in our tastes, either of us, and I think we should manage capitally. Lewis would be very good to live with, I think, Aunt Olive; and I know I could get my own way with him.’ ‘But—but——’ Maud playfully laid her hand over her aunt’s lips.