All this she learned from Mike, whom
she saw outside.
"And where is the cook?"
"She's in the kitchen," said Mike.
"A good place for her," replied the old lady; "let her stay there. I will
see Mr. Haverley, and I will see him out here. Go and find him and tell
him I am sitting under that tree."
Ralph arrived, bright-eyed.
"Well, sir," cried the old lady, "and so you have decided to take a wife
to yourself, eh?"
"Indeed I have," said he, with the air of one who had conquered a
continent, and giving Miss Panney's outstretched hand a hearty shake.
"Sit down here," said she, "and tell me all about it. I suppose your soul
is hungering for congratulations."
"Oh yes," he said, laughing; "they are the collateral delights which are
next best to the main happiness."
"Now," said Miss Panney, "I suppose you feel quite certain that Miss
Drane is a young woman who will suit your temperament and your general
intellectual needs?"
"Indeed I do," cried Ralph. "She suits me in every possible way."
"And you have thoroughly investigated her character, and know that she
has the well-balanced mind which will be very much wanted here, and that
she has cut off and swept away all remnants of former attachments to
other young men?"
Ralph twisted himself around impatiently.
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