o--I don't know. Mother!" the young man cried, impatiently, "what
has May Everard done that you should treat her like this?"

"Nothing; I love her dearly, and you know it. But she is not suited to
you--she is not the woman you should marry."

Sir Rupert laughed--a hard strident laugh.

"I think Miss Everard is much of your opinion, my lady. You might have
spared yourself all these fears and perplexities, for the simple reason
that I should have been refused had I asked."

"Rupert!"

"Nay, mother mine, no need to wear that frightened face. I haven't asked
Miss Everard in so many words to marry me, and she hasn't declined with
thanks; but she would if I did. I saw enough to-day for that."

"Then you don't care for Aileen?" with a look of blank consternation.

"I care for her very much, mother; and I haven't owned to being
absolutely in love with our pretty little May. Perhaps I care for one
as much as the other; perhaps I know in my inmost heart she is the one I
should marry. That is, if she will marry me."

"You owe it to her to ask her."

"Do I? Very likely; and it would make you happy, my mother?"

He came and bent over her again, smiling down in her wan, anxious face.

"More happy than anything else in this world, Rupert."

"Then consider it an accomplished fact. Before the sun sets to-day
Aileen Jocyln shall say yes or no to your son."

He bent and kissed her; then, without waiting for her to speak, wheeled
round and strode out of the apartment.

"There is nothing like striking while the iron is hot," said the young
man to himself with a grim sort of smile as he ran down stairs; "for
good or for evil, there is no time like the present, my stately Aileen."

Loitering on the lawn, he encountered May Everard, still in her
riding-habit, surrounded by three or four poodle dogs.

"On the wing again, Rupert? Is it for mamma? She is not worse?"

"No; I am going to Jocyln Hall. Perhaps I shall fetch Aileen back."

May's turquoise blue eyes were lifted with a sudden luminous,
intelligent flash to his face.

"God speed you! You will certainly fetch Aileen back!"

She held out her hand with a smile that told him she knew all as plainly
as he knew it himself.

"You have my best wishes, Rupert, and don't linger; I want to
congratulate Aileen."

Sir Rupert's response to these good wishes was very brief and curt. Miss
Everard watched him mount and ride off, with a mischievous little smile
rippling round her