This Malcolm had already promised; and when Cedric went to bed he felt assured that Malcolm's interest and sympathy were fully enlisted on his behalf.
"It is a foregone conclusion as far as Dinah is concerned," he thought, as he laid his head on his pillow.

"Herrick can make her believe anything he likes, she has such faith in him; he has only to say that it is a capital plan, and that I shall make a first-rate farmer, and she will be ready to take out her cheque-book at once." Cedric went round to 27 Queen's Gate to pay his respects to the ladies before he started for Staplegrove.

Malcolm, who dined there that night, was amused by his mother's openly-avowed admiration of their young friend.
"Cedric Templeton is one of the most attractive-looking men I have ever seen," she said in her most serious voice; "he is very much improved in every way, and is altogether charming." "I hope you agree with my mother, Anna ?" observed Malcolm, laughing.

"I think Cedric's ears must be burning at the present moment." But Anna only returned rather shyly that she thought Mr.Templeton looked extremely well.
Malcolm had fixed his day, but he refused to state any hour for his arrival.

There was no need to send the dog-cart for him; he would prefer taking a fly from the station.