ass
the afternoon, and Graeme had little quiet that day. There were
strangers at dinner, and Arthur was busy with them for some time after;
and when, being at liberty at last, he called to Graeme that he wanted
to see her for a minute, it must be confessed that she answered with
impatience.

"Oh! Arthur, I am very tired. Won't it keep till morning? Do let Mrs
Tilman and domestic affairs wait."

"Mrs Tilman! What can you mean, Graeme? I suppose Mrs Grove has been
favouring the household with some advice, has she?"

"Has not Fanny told you about it?" asked Graeme.

"No. I saw Fanny was in tribulation of some kind. I shall hear it all
in good time. It is something that concerns only you that I wish to
speak about. How would you like to visit Europe, Graeme?"

"In certain circumstances I might like it."

"Mr Green wished me to ask the question--or another--"

"Arthur, don't say it," said Graeme, sitting down and turning pale.
"Tell me that you did not expect this."

"I cannot say that I was altogether taken by surprise. He meant to
speak to you himself, but his courage failed him. He is very much in
earnest, Graeme, and very much afraid."

"Arthur," said his sister, earnestly, "you do not think this is my
fault? If I had known it should never have come to this."

"He must have an answer now."

"Yes, you will know what to say to him. I am sorry."

"But, Graeme, you should take time to think. In the eyes of the world
this would be a good match for you."

Graeme rose impatiently.

"What has the world to do with it? Tell me, Arthur, that you do not
think me to blame for this."

"I do not think you intended to give Mr Green encouragement. But I
cannot understand why you should be so surprised. I am not."

"You have not been seeing with your own eyes, and the encouragement has
not been from _me_. It cannot be helped now. You will know what to
say. And, Arthur, pray let this be quite between you and me."

"Then, there is nothing more to be said?"

"Nothing. Good-night."

Arthur was not surprised. He knew quite well that Mr Green was not
good enough for Graeme. But, then, who was? Mr Green was very rich,
and it would have been a splendid settlement for her, and she was not
very young now. If she was ever to marry, it was surely time. And why
should she not?

He had intended to say something like this to her, but somehow he had
not found it easy to do. Well, she was old enough an