Whatever defects of hardness and acidity his original treatment and the lapse of years might have developed in her, his sense of a realized idea, of a re-established self-satisfaction, was always thrown into the scale on her side, and out-weighed all objections.
It was about a month after their settlement in town that the household decided to spend a week at a watering-place in the Isle of Wight, and while there the Reverend Percival Cope (the young curate aforesaid) came to see them, Frances in particular.

No formal engagement of the young pair had been announced as yet, but it was clear that their mutual understanding could not end in anything but marriage without grievous disappointment to one of the parties at least.

Not that Frances was sentimental.

She was rather of the imperious sort, indeed; and, to say all, the young girl had not fulfilled her father's expectations of her.
But he hoped and worked for her welfare as sincerely as any father could do.
Mr.Cope was introduced to the new head of the family, and stayed with them in the Island two or three days.

On the last day of his visit they decided to venture on a two hours' sail in one of the small yachts which lay there for hire.