from his nose. "Was I unkind? I will see her in the library after
supper."

Miss White nibbled at him speechlessly. "If he is severe with
her, I don't know what she _won't_ do," she said to herself.

But Mr. Ferguson did not mean to be severe. When Elizabeth
presented herself in his library, the interview began calmly
enough. Her uncle was brief and to the point, but he was not
unkind. She and Blair were too young to be engaged,--"Don't think
of it again," he commanded.

Elizabeth looked tearful, but she did not resent his dictum;--
David's lack of sympathy had been very dampening to romance. It
was just at the end that the gunpowder flared.

"Now, remember, I don't want you to be foolish Elizabeth."

"I don't think being in love is foolish, Uncle."

"Love! What do you know about love? You are nothing but a silly
little girl."

"I don't think I'm very little; and Blair is in love with me."

"Blair is as young and as foolish as you are. Even if you were
older, I wouldn't allow it. He is selfish and irresponsible, and--
"

"I think," interrupted Elizabeth, "that you are very mean to