rank get to hear of it, I suppose there would be a noble
rampage: _then_ he might speak out a little more.'

'Have you been dreaming Madge?' said Nan, again staring at her sister.
'What has put such monstrous things into your head? Mr. Hanbury--at
the Kenyons'--and you would dance with him!'

'Well, why not?' said Madge, with a frown; for this difficulty about
the letter-writing had clearly operated on her temper and made her
impatient. 'All the world isn't supposed to know about the
Vice-Chancellor's warning. Why shouldn't he be invited by the Kenyons?
And why should he know that I am going? And why, if we both happen to
be there, shouldn't we dance together? Human beings are human beings,
in spite of Vice-Chancellors. They can't lock up a man for dancing
with you? At all events, they can't lock me up, even if Jack is there.'

'Madge, put these things out of your head. You won't go to the
Kenyons', for Captain King would not like it----'

'I don't think he'd take the trouble to object,' Madge interjected.

'And Mr. Hanbury won't be there; and there will be no dancing, and no
quarrel. If you wish to write to Captain King about what will interest
him, write about what interests yourself. That he is sure to be
interested in----'

'Well, but that is exactly what I can't write to him about. I know
what I am interested in well enough. Edith has just told me Mr.
Roberts has been pressing her to fix a time for their marriage. She
thinks the end of April; so that they could be back in London for the
latter end of the season. Now I think that would do very well for us
too--and it is always nice for two sisters to get married on the same
day--only Frank has never asked me a word about it, and how am I to
write to him about it? So you see, wise Mother Nan, I can't write to
him about what interests me.'

Nan had started somewhat when she heard this proposal; it seemed
strange to her.

'April?' she said. 'You've known Captain King a very short time,
Madge. You were not thinking of getting married in April next?'

'Perhaps I'd better wait until I'm asked,' said Madge, with a laugh, as
she turned to go away. 'Well, if you won't tell me what to write
about, I must go and get this bothered letter done somehow. I do
believe the best way will be to write about you; that will interest him
anyway.'

Frank King remained away for a few weeks, and during this time the
first symptoms appeared of the coming spring.