And forcing himself to talk he tried to draw the stranger out, watching him, too, to see if he admired Lettie.

For it was one of Cotherstone's greatest joys in life to bring folk to his house and watch the effect which his pretty daughter had on them, and he was rewarded now in seeing that the young man from London evidently applauded his friend's choice and paid polite tribute to Lettie's charm.
"And what might you have been doing with Mr.Brereton since he got down yesterday ?" asked Cotherstone.

"Showing him round, of course ?" "I've been tormenting him chiefly with family history," answered Bent, with a laughing glance at his sweetheart.

"You didn't know I was raking up everything I could get hold of about my forbears, did you?
Oh, I've been busy at that innocent amusement for a month past--old Kitely put me up to it." Cotherstone could barely repress an inclination to start in his chair; he himself was not sure that he did not show undue surprise.
"What!" he exclaimed.

"Kitely?
My tenant?
What does he know about your family?
A stranger!" "Much more than I do," replied Bent.