‘A very different thing!’ said Sol vehemently.  ’Though he is your brother, sir, I must say this, that I would rather she married the poorest man I know.’

‘Why?’

’From what my father has told me of him, he is not—­a more desirable brother-in-law to me than I shall be in all likelihood to him.  What business has a man of that character to marry Berta, I should like to ask?’

‘That’s what I say,’ returned Mountclere, revealing his satisfaction at Sol’s estimate of his noble brother:  it showed that he had calculated well in coming here.  ’My brother is getting old, and he has lived strangely:  your sister is a highly respectable young lady.’

’And he is not respectable, you mean?  I know he is not.  I worked near Enckworth once.’

‘I cannot say that,’ returned Mountclere.  Possibly a certain fraternal feeling repressed a direct assent:  and yet this was the only representation which could be expected to prejudice the young man against the wedding, if he were such an one as the visitor supposed Sol to be—­a man vulgar in sentiment and ambition, but pure in his anxiety for his sister’s happiness.  ’At any rate, we are agreed in thinking that this would be an unfortunate marriage for both,’ added Mountclere.

’About both I don’t know.  It may be a good thing for him.  When do you say it is to be, sir—­to-morrow?’

‘Yes.’

‘I don’t know what to do!’ said Sol, walking up and down.  ’If half what I have heard is true, I would lose a winter’s work to prevent her marrying him.  What does she want to go mixing in with people who despise her for?  Now look here, Mr. Mountclere, since you have been and called me out to talk this over, it is only fair that you should tell me the exact truth about your brother.  Is it a lie, or is it true, that he is not fit to be the husband of a decent woman?’

‘That is a curious inquiry,’ said Mountclere, whose manner and aspect, neutral as a winter landscape, had little in common with Sol’s warm and unrestrained bearing.  ’There are reasons why I think your sister will not be happy with him.’

‘Then it is true what they say,’ said Sol, bringing down his fist upon the table.  ’I know your meaning well enough.  What’s to be done?  If I could only see her this minute, she might be kept out of it.’

’You think your presence would influence your sister—­if you could see her before the wedding?’

‘I think it would.  But who’s to get at her?’

’I am going, so you had better come on with me—­unless it would be best for your father to come.’

‘Perhaps it might,’ said the bewildered Sol.  ’But he will not be able to get away; and it’s no use for Dan to go.  If anybody goes I must!  If she has made up her mind nothing can be done by writing to her.’

‘I leave at once to see Lord Mountclere,’ the other continued.  ’I feel that as my brother is evidently ignorant of the position of Mrs. Petherwin’s family and connections, it is only fair in me, as his nearest relative, to make them clear to him before it is too late.’