see Joan, and--"

"Not on your life, you'll spoil everything. I am out of favour with the
old lady; she will take Tom into favour in my place. All will go well
with you and Tom, and after all that is what I worked for. With regard
to Miss Joan Meredyth--" He paused.

"Yes, Hugh, what about Joan? Oh, Hugh, now you have seen her, don't you
think she is wonderful?"

"I thought she had a very unpleasing temper," he said.

"There isn't a sweeter girl in the world," Marjorie said.

"I didn't notice any particular sweetness about her yesterday. She had
reason, of course, to feel annoyed, but I think she made the most of it,
however--" He paused.

"Yes, Hugh, what shall you do? I know you have something in your mind."


"You are right; I have. I am going to do the only thing that seems to me
possible just now."

"And that is?"

"Seek out Miss Joan Meredyth, and ask her to become my wife in
reality."