And thus they walked over the hills, this young man and this elderly man, each in love with the same girl.

During all the walk Dick never asked when Miss Asher was coming back to the tollhouse, nor did Captain Asher make any remarks upon the subject.  It was not really of vital importance to Dick, as Broadstone was so near, and it was of such vital importance to the captain that it was impossible for him to speak of it.

The next day the bright-hearted Richard trod buoyantly upon the earth; he did not care to read; he did not want to smoke; and he was not much inclined to conversation; he was simply buoyant, and undecided.  The captain looked at him and smiled.

“Why don’t you walk over to Broadstone?” he said.  “It will do you good.  I want you to stay with me, but I don’t expect you to be stuck down to this tollhouse all day.  I am going about the farm to-day, but I shall expect you to supper.”

When he was ready to start Dick Lancaster felt a little perplexed.  His ideas of friendly civility impelled him to ask the captain if there was anything he could do for him, if there was any message or missive he could take to his niece, or anything he could bring from her, but he was prudent and refrained; if the captain wished service of this sort he was a man to ask for it.

The first person Dick met at Broadstone was Mrs. Easterfield, cutting roses.

“I am very glad to see you, Professor Lancaster,” said she, as she put down her roses and her scissors.  “Would you mind, before you enter into the general Broadstone society, sitting down on this bench and talking a little to me?”

Dick could not help smiling.  What man in the world, even if he were in love with somebody else, could object to sitting down by such a woman and talking to her?

“What I am going to say,” said Mrs. Easterfield, “is impertinent, unwarranted, and of an officious character.  You and I know each other very slightly; neither of us has long been acquainted with Captain Asher, you have met his niece but twice, and I have never really known her until what you might call the other day.  But in spite of all this, I propose that you and I shall meddle a little in their affairs.  I have taken the greatest fancy to Miss Asher, and, if you can do it without any breach of confidence, I would like you to tell me if you know of any misunderstanding between her and her uncle.”

“I know of nothing of the kind,” said Dick with great interest, “but I admit I thought there might be something wrong somewhere.  He knew I was coming here to-day—­in fact, he suggested it—­but he sent Miss Asher no sort of message.”

“Can it be possible he is cherishing any hard feelings against her?” she remarked.  “I should not have supposed he was that sort of man.”

“He is not that sort of man,” said Dick warmly.  “He was talking to me about her yesterday, and from what he said, I am sure he thinks she is the finest girl in the world.”