Mab
is a brick, and I'm glad you have asked her. I don't think she'll
come, as she likes shutting herself up at Grex. Miss Boncassen is
another brick. And if you can manage about Gerald I will say that you
are a third."

This would have been all very well had she not known that secret.
Could it be that Miss Boncassen had been mistaken? She was forced to
write again to say that her father did not think it right that Gerald
should be brought away from his studies for the sake of shooting, and
that the necessary fourth gun would be there in the person of one
Barrington Erle. Then she added: "Lady Mabel Grex is coming, and so
is Miss Boncassen." But to this she received no reply.

Though Silverbridge had written to his sister in his usual careless
style, he had considered the matter much. The three months were over.
He had no idea of any hesitation on his part. He had asked her to be
his wife, and he was determined to go on with his suit. Had he ever
been enabled to make the same request to Mabel Grex, or had she
answered him when he did half make it in a serious manner, he would
have been true to her. He had not told his father, or his sister,
or his friends, as Isabel had suggested. He would not do so till
he should have received some more certain answer from her. But in
respect to his love he was prepared to be quite as obstinate as his
sister. It was a matter for his own consideration, and he would
choose for himself. The three months were over, and it was now his
business to present himself to the lady again.

That Lady Mabel should also be at Matching, would certainly be a
misfortune. He thought it probable that she, knowing that Isabel
Boncassen and he would be there together, would refuse the
invitation. Surely she ought to do so. That was his opinion when he
wrote to his sister. When he heard afterwards that she intended to
be there, he could only suppose that she was prepared to accept the
circumstances as they stood.

CHAPTER LII

Miss Boncassen Tells the Truth

On the 20th of the month all the guests came rattling in at Matching
one after another. The Boncassens were the first, but Lady Mabel with
Miss Cassewary followed them quickly. Then came the Finns, and with
them Barrington Erle. Lord Silverbridge was the last. He arrived by a
train which reached the station at 7 P.M., and only entered the house
as his father was taking Mrs. Boncassen into the dining-room. He
dressed himself in ten minutes