topic that would lessen the tension that seemed to have fallen on
the room. But Peters broke the silence before it became
noticeable. "The one person present whom it most nearly concerns
has not given us her view. What do you say, Miss Locke?"

Gillian flushed faintly. It was still difficult to join in a
general conversation, to remember that she might at any moment be
called upon to put forward ideas of her own.

"I am afraid I am prejudiced. I was brought up in a convent--in
France," she said hesitatingly. "Then you hold with the French
custom of arranged marriages?" suggested Peters. Her dark eyes
looked seriously into his. "I think it is--safer," she said
slowly.

"And consequently, happier?" The colour deepened in her face.
"Oh, I don't know. I do not understand English ways. I can speak
only of France. We talked of it in the convent--naturally, since it
was forbidden, _que voulez vous?_" she smiled. "Some of my
friends were married. Their parents arranged the marriages.
It seems that--" she stammered and went on hurriedly--"that there
is much to be considered in choosing a husband, much that--girls
do not understand, that only older people know. So it is perhaps
better that they should arrange a matter which is so serious and
so--so lasting. They must know more than we do," she added
quietly.

"And are your friends happy?" asked Miss Craven bluntly.

"They are content."