 Methodist preacher here last year, and who knows how
many more? Well, I bet a penny, with all your scheming, I shall die Milly
Costigan at last. So poor little Arthur has no money? - Stop and take dinner,
Bows; we've a beautiful beefsteak pudding.«
    »I wonder whether she is on with Sir Derby Oaks,« thought Bows, whose eyes
and thoughts were always watching her. »The dodges of women beat all
comprehension; and I am sure she wouldn't let the lad off so easily, if she had
not some other scheme on hand.«
    It will have been perceived that Miss Fotheringay, though silent in general,
and by no means brilliant as a conversationist where poetry, literature, or the
fine arts were concerned, could talk freely, and with good sense, too, in her
own family circle. She cannot justly be called a romantic person, nor were her
literary acquirements great - she never opened a Shakespeare from the day she
left the stage, nor, indeed, understood it during all the time she adorned the
boards - but about a pudding, a piece of needlework, or her own domestic
affairs, she was as good a judge as could be found; and not being misled by a
strong imagination or a passionate temper, was better enabled to keep her
judgment cool. When, over their dinner, Costigan tried to convince himself and
the company that the Major's statement regarding Pen's finances was unworthy of
credit, and a mere ruse upon the old hypocrite's part so as to induce them, on
their side, to break off the match, Miss Milly would not, for a moment, admit
the possibility of deceit on the side of the adversary, and pointed out clearly
that it was her father who had deceived himself, and not poor little Pen who had
tried to take them in. As for that poor lad, she said she pitied him with all
her heart. And she ate an exceedingly good dinner - to the admiration of Mr.
Bows, who had a remarkable regard and contempt for this woman - during and after
which repast the party devised upon the best means of bringing this love-matter
to a close. As for Costigan, his idea of tweaking the major's nose vanished with
his supply of after-dinner whisky-and-water; and he was submissive to his
daughter, and ready for any plan on which she might decide, in order to meet the
crisis which she saw was at hand.
    The Captain, who, as long as he
