life had always been direct in its endeavor to see the truth and
the meaning of things, and how to him love was the only possible
reason in ethical morality for any marriage between two people.

"It is merely a great degradation, otherwise, sir," he said
earnestly.

But here Canon Ebley was heard to protest that he could not
understand a love which had sprung into being with such violence
in the space of three days, and he felt very suspicious of its
durability.

"Oh, Uncle Erasmus, how can you say that!" Stella interrupted him.
"Why, you have often said that you yourself fell in love with Aunt
Caroline from the moment your eye lighted upon her in church--in
church, remember, you old darling!" and she nestled up against his
shoulder again. Caresses like these she was always obliged to
suppress in her austere aunt's presence; they were only to be
indulged in upon great occasions, and to gain an important end,
she knew! So the rogue smiled archly as she went on. "You could
hardly wait until you were introduced at the garden party the next
day, and Aunt Caroline said you proposed to her before the end of
the week!"

"Come, come," the cornered uncle growled, bridling, but a smile
grew in his kindly eyes.

"There!" exclaimed Miss Rawson, triumphantly. "You cannot have
another thing to say, except that you consent and wish us
happiness."