‘Shoes of gold upon a horse!’ said Mrs. Bolton, holding up both her hands.  The man who could even tell such a story must be an adventurer.  But, nevertheless the story had interested her so that she had been enticed into taking some part in the conversation.

When Caldigate got up to take his leave, Robert Bolton offered to walk back to the town with him.  He had expected to find his father, but would now look for him at the bank.  They started together; and as they went Caldigate told his story to the young lady’s half-brother.  It occurred to him that of all the family Robert Bolton would be the most reasonable in such a matter; and that of all the family he might perhaps be the best able to give assistance.  When Robert Bolton had heard it all, at first he whistled.  Then he asked the following question.  ’What did she say to you?’

‘She did not give me much encouragement.’

’I should think not.  Though I say it who shouldn’t, Hester is the sweetest girl in Cambridgeshire.  But her mother thinks her much too good to be given in marriage to any man.  This kind of thing was bound to come about some day.’

‘But Mrs. Bolton seems to have some personal objection to me.’

‘That’s probable.’

‘I don’t know why she should.’

’She has got one treasure of her own, in enjoying which she is shut out from all the rest of the world.  Is it unnatural that she should be a little suspicious about a man who proposes to take her treasure away from her?’

‘She must surrender her treasure to some one,—­some day.’

’If it be so, she will hope to do so to a man of whose antecedents she may know more than she does of yours.  What she does know of you is of a nature to frighten her.  You will excuse me.’

‘Oh, of course.’

’She has heard that you went away under a cloud, having surrendered your estate.  That was against you.  Well;—­you have come back, and she hears that you have brought some money with you.  She does not care very much about money; but she does care about regularity and fixed habits.  If Hess is to be married at all she would especially wish that her husband should be a religious man.  Perhaps you are.’

‘I am neither the one thing nor the other,—­especially.’

’And therefore peculiarly dangerous in her eyes It is natural that she should oppose you.’

‘What am I to do, then?’

’Ah!  How am I to answer that?  The whole story is very romantic, and I do not know that we are a romantic family.  My father is autocratic in his own house.’

This last assurance seemed to contain some comfort As Mrs. Bolton would be his enemy in the matter, it was well that the power of deciding should be in other hands.  ‘I do not mean to give it up,’ said he.

‘I suppose you must if they won’t open their doors to you.’

‘I think they ought to allow me to have the chance of seeing her.’