The Vicar was plainly startled, and directed an enquiring look at his spouse.

“Young Joseph Drayton is growing extremely particular in his attentions,” pronounced Mrs. Tallant, in a voice of doom. She observed the effect of this, and continued in the blandest way: “Of course, I am aware that he is considered to be a great catch, for he will inherit all his father’s wealth.”

The Vicar was betrayed into an unchristian utterance. “I could not consent to it! He smells of the shop!”

“Exactly so!” agreed Mrs. Tallant, well-satisfied. “But he has been dangling after Arabella these past six months.”

“Do you tell me,” demanded the Vicar, “that a daughter of mine encourages his attentions?”

“By no means!” promptly responded the lady. “Any more than she encourages the attentions of the curate, young Dewsbury, Alfred Hitchin, Humphrey Finchley, or a dozen others! Arabella, my dear sir, is by far the most sought-after belle of these parts!”

“Dear me!” said the Vicar, shaking his head in wonderment. “I must confess, my love, that none of these young gentlemen would be welcome to me as a son-in-law.”

“Then, perhaps, Mr. Tallant, you cherish hopes of seeing Arabella married to her cousin Tom?”

“Nothing,” said the Vicar forcibly, “could be farther from my wishes!” He recollected himself, and added in a more moderate tone: “My brother is a very worthy man, according to his lights, and I wish his children nothing but good; but on several counts, which I need not enumerate, I should not desire to see any of my daughters marry their cousins. And, what is more, I am very sure that he has quite other designs for Tom and Algernon!”

“Indeed he has!” corroborated Mrs. Tallant cordially. “He means them to marry heiresses.”

The Vicar bent an incredulous gaze upon her. “Does my daughter affect any of these young men?” he demanded.