Caroline to tell her where I am, quite safe, in case she was
worried about me. Let me introduce you to my future sister-in-law,
Princess Urazov, with whom I am staying. My fiance, Count
Roumovski, you have met before."

Afterwards she often wondered how this emancipated spirit of
daring had ever come to her. But she felt so joyous, so full of
love and happiness, that it seemed that she could not be afraid or
annoyed with anyone in the world.

"Stella, you are a shameless girl," Canon Ebley retorted in a
horrified voice. "I refuse to admit that you are engaged to this
gentleman. Your whole conduct has been a scandalous series of
deceptions and you must be ready to return at once with your aunt
and your affianced husband. They are following us here now."

Then Stella used a weapon that she had more than once found
effectual with her uncle. She flung herself into his arms and
clasped him round the neck. He was a short, portly man, and from
this position she began to cajole him--while Count Roumovski
looked on with amused calm, and his sister, following his lead,
remained unmoved also.

Mr. Deanwood was the only restless person; he felt thoroughly
uncomfortable and bored to death. He hated having been dragged
into this family quarrel, and secretly sympathized with his cousin
in her revolt at the thought of being Eustace Medlicott's wife.

"Oh, dear Uncle Erasmus!" Stella purred, from the highly perturbed
clergyman's neck, where she was burrowing her sweet head, rubbing