Stephen Norman of Normanstand had remained a bachelor until close on middle age, when the fact took hold of him that there was no immediate heir to his great estate.

Whereupon, with his wonted decision, he set about looking for a wife.
He had been a close friend of his next neighbour, Squire Rowly, ever since their college days.

They had, of course, been often in each other's houses, and Rowly's young sister--almost a generation younger than himself, and the sole fruit of his father's second marriage--had been like a little sister to him too.

She had, in the twenty years which had elapsed, grown to be a sweet and beautiful young woman.

In all the past years, with the constant opportunity which friendship gave of close companionship, the feeling never altered.