"Sir Robert is a good and a godly man, and I would gladly give our restless, capricious Kate to one who could be father and husband in one.

But I confess the thought had not come to me, nor had I thought that he came hither to seek him a wife." Sir Richard smiled meaningly.
"Nor had I until of late; but I begin to think that is his object.
He pays more heed to the girls than he did when first he came to visit us, and he has dropped a word here and a hint there, all pointing in one direction.

And dost thou not note that our Kate is often brightest and best when he is by?
I had never thought before that her girlish fancy might have been caught by his gray hair and soldier-like air; yet many stranger things have happened.

Wife, dost thou think it can be ?" "I would it were; it would be well for all.

I will watch and see, and do thou likewise.