"I think probably it must; but slowly."

"Can you break an engagement off slowly?" Her eyes lit
up. "What's an engagement made of, do you suppose? I think
it's made of some hard stuff, that may snap, but can't
break. It is different to the other ties of life. They
stretch or bend. They admit of degree. They're different."

"Exactly so. But won't you let me just run down to
Howards House, and save you all the discomfort? I will
really not interfere, but I do so thoroughly understand the
kind of thing you Schlegels want that one quiet look round
will be enough for me."

Margaret again thanked her, again kissed her, and then
ran upstairs to see her brother.

He was not so well.

The hay fever had worried him a good deal all night.
His head ached, his eyes were wet, his mucous membrane, he
informed her, was in a most unsatisfactory condition. The
only thing that made life worth living was the thought of
Walter Savage Landor, from whose IMAGINARY CONVERSATIONS she
had promised to read at frequent intervals during the day.

It was rather difficult. Something must be done about
Helen. She must be assured that it is not a criminal
offence to love at first sight. A telegram to this effect
would be cold and cryptic, a personal visit seemed each