been considering the matter of you and Tom Arundel. Of course, your
income is a small one, even if I released it, but--"

"Aunt--we--we wouldn't mind, I could manage on so little. I should love
to manage for him." The girl clasped her hands, she looked with pleading
eyes at the old lady.

"Well, well, we shall see!" her ladyship said indulgently. "I don't say
No, and I don't say Yes. You are both young yet. By the way, write a
letter to Tom and ask him to dine with us to-morrow."

"Thank you, aunt!" Marjorie flushed to her eyes. "Oh, thank you so
much!"

"My good girl, there's nothing to get excited about. I don't suppose
that he will eat more than about half a crown's worth."

Meanwhile, Hugh Alston had retired to his house at Hurst Dormer in a
none too happy frame of mind. He had rowed with Lady Linden, had
practically told her to mind her own business, which was a thing
everyone had been wishing she would do for the past ten years, and no
one had ever dared tell her to.

Altogether, he felt miserably unhappy, furious with himself and angry
with Miss Joan Meredyth. The one and only person he did not blame was
the one, only and entirely, to blame--Marjorie!

This Sunday morning Hugh in his study heard the chug-chug of a small and
badly driven light car, and looked out of the window to see Marjorie
stepping out of the vehicle.