Thus abandoned to a _tete-à-tete_, after a lengthy silence, Mrs.
Larcher, sitting among the collapsible spring's, began to speak in a
shaky voice.

"Ahem! We have _all_ seen, Douglas, how devotedly attached you are to
Cossie, and the marked attentions you have paid her. Of course, on
such a small salary you were too honourable to say anything definite.
Ahem! But now that you are in a better position, with splendid
prospects, I have no objection to an engagement, and as soon as you are
comfortably settled in Rangoon, Cossie will join you."

Douglas instantly lifted himself out of his chair and confronted the
unfortunate catspaw; standing erect before her, he said:

"My dear Aunt Emma, kindly understand once for all that I am not in
love with Cossie. I have never made love to her, or ever shall. I
like her as a cousin--but no more. Even if I were madly in love, I
could not marry; my screw will barely keep myself."

"Oh, but you'll get on!" interposed his aunt eagerly. "They all do out
there, and you who are so well educated and gentlemanly will soon be
drawing high pay, and keeping dozens of black servants, and a
motor--and you know poor Cossie is _so_ fond of you."

"I am truly sorry to hear you say so; I cannot imagine _why_ she should
be fond of me; or why, quite lately, she has got this preposterous idea
into her head. Naturally it is a delicate subject to discuss with you,
Aunt Emma; but I declare on my honour that I have never thought of
Cossie but just as a jolly sort of girl and a cousin."