It will be a good thing, in my opinion, when that time arrives." Ralph was often down at the Rectory, where he was always made welcome, Mr.Withers and his wife being anxious to learn as much of his disposition as they could.

They were well satisfied with the result.
"I fancy I know what is in Penfold's mind," the rector had said to his wife a few days after Ralph came down.

"I believe he has already quite settled it in his mind that some day Mabel and this lad shall make a match of it." "How absurd, John.

Why, Mabel is only a child." "Quite so, my dear; but in another three or four years she will be a young woman.

I don't mean that Penfold has any idea that they are going to take a fancy to each other at present--only that they will do so in the future.