sapleasant-spokenyoungman,witharatherfinepresence—notmyidealatallbutthat,ofcourse,doesn'tmatter!Well,amonthafterthefuneral,Marytoldmethathehadaskedheragain,andshehaddeclined.Ithinkitwasverybadtasteonhispart,butMarysaidshethoughtitmostnoble.
"ItappearsthatColonelandMrs.Parsonsbothpressedherverymuchtoacceptthecurate.TheysaiditwasJamie'sdyingwish,andthathislastthoughthadbeenforherhappiness.ThereisnodoubtthatMr.Drylandisanexcellentyoungman,butiftheParsonshadreallylovedtheirson,theywouldneverhaveadvisedMarytogetmarried.Ithinkitwasmostheartless.
"Well,afewdaysago,Mr.DrylandcameandtoldusthathehadbeenappointedvicarofStoneFairley,inKent.IwenttoseeMrs.Jackson,thewifeofourVicar,andshelookeditoutintheclergylist.Thestipendis￡300ayear,andIamtoldthatthereisagoodhouse.Ofcourse,it'snotverymuch,butbetterthannothing.ThismorningMr.DrylandcalledandaskedforaprivateinterviewwithMary.Hesaidhemust,ofcourse,leaveLittlePrimpton,andhisvicaragewouldsadlywantamistressandfinally,forthethirdtime,beggedheronhisbendedkneestomarryher.HehadpreviouslybeentotheParsons,andtheColonelsentforMary,andtoldherthathehopedshewouldnotrefuseMr.Drylandfortheirsake,andthattheythoughtitwasherdutytomarry.TheresultisthatMaryacceptedhim,andistobemarriedveryquietlybyspeciallicenseinamonth.ThewidowofthelateincumbentofStoneFairleymovesoutinsixweeks,sothiswillgivethemtimeforafortnight'shoneymoonbeforesettlingdown.TheythinkofspendingitinParis.
"Ithink,onthewhole,itisasgoodamatchaspoorMarycouldexpecttomake.Thesti