u
don't want that. If she is to be your wife, it ought to be because she
chooses you of her own deliberate will. Wait quietly for a few weeks
and--drift! You may find in a few weeks' time that the impression
fades--that there are other possibilities, other attractions."

Gloucester looked her in the face, and laughed, a full-throated,
derisive laugh.

"You don't believe one word that you are saying. You are talking
because you think you _ought_. Don't! What is the use of keeping up
pretences--you and I? We have seen behind the scenes. Can't we stick
to the truth?"

"You won't take my advice?"

"No, I won't."

"You refuse to be prudent in regard to the most important happening of
your life?"

"I do. It's not a matter for prudence. It belongs to another sphere.
I am thirty-five. I have waited long enough. Why should I squander
more weeks to satisfy a convention? She shan't be hurried--she shall
feel no obligation. I will not breathe a word about that old prophecy
unless, _until_ she consents of her own will; but she must know what I
want. I would tell her to-day if I had the chance."

"Which you shall not, if I can prevent it. It's not fair; it's not
kind. What is Jean to think? That you are attracted by her face, and
her face alone? That's a poor compliment. If she is worth winning she
is worth knowing; and she has plenty of character. So far as I can
judge, her nature and yours are quite unlike. Are you quite sure that
you can make her happy? In fairness to her, you ought to give her a
chance of knowing you before she takes the plunge."

"I can make her happy. I have no shadow of doubt about that. I'll tell
you something more, if you like, Miss Strangeways--I am the only man who
_can_! She belongs to me, and I am not going to stand aside for any
man--or woman--on the face of the earth!"

Vanna shrugged her shoulders, half laughing, half annoyed.

"Very well, then, now we know where we are. For the moment please
understand that I have joined the opposition. I shall run off with Jean
and hide her, and instil principles of prudence and caution into her
ear, coupled with a due suspicion of men who make up their minds in a
hurry. Don't count upon my good offices."

"I shan't need them, thank you," he returned calmly.

Vanna reflected that it would be as easy to attempt to depress an
india-rubber ball.

CHAPTER SIX.

ENTER MIGGLES.

Three days later the two girls were ensc