ry manner, when he had done
and sat stroking his knees.

"Why, you understand nothing about it, Mr. Manners," she said, "Did the
maid not tell you she would marry him, if he wished it? She told me so."

"Then what is the matter?" he asked.

"I know no more than you."

"Does he not wish it?"

"She says so."

"Then--"

"Yes, that is what I say. And yet that says nothing. There is something
more."

"Ask her."

"I have asked her. She bids me wait, as she bids you. It is no good, Mr.
Manners. We must wait the maid's time."

He sat, breathing audibly through his nose.

* * * * *

These two were devoted to their daughter in a manner hardly to be
described. She was the only one left to them; for the others, of whom
two had been boys, had died in infancy or childhood; and, in the event,
Marjorie had absorbed the love due to them all. She was a strain higher
than themselves, thought her parents, and so pride in her was added to
love. The mother had made incredible sacrifices, first to have her
educated by a couple of old nuns who still survived in Derby, and then
to bring her out suitably at Babington House last year. The father had
cordially approved, and joined in the sacrifices, which included an
expenditure which he would not have thought conceivable. The result was,
of course, that Marjorie, under cover of a very real dutifulness, ruled
both her parents completely; her mother acknowledged the dominion, at
least, to herself and her husband; her father pretended that he did
not; and on this occasion rose, perhaps, nearer to repudiating it than
ever in his life. It seemed to him unbearable to be bidden by his
daughter, though with the utmost courtesy and affection, to mind his own
business.

So he sat and breathed audibly through his nose, and meditated
rebellion.

* * * * *

"And is the lad to come here for Easter?" he asked at last.

"I suppose so."

"And for how long?"

"So long as the maid appoints."

He breathed louder than ever.

"And, Mr. Manners," continued his wife emphatically, "no word must be
said to him on the matter. The maid is very plain as to that.... Oh! we
must let her have her way."

"Where is she gone?"

She nodded with her head to the window. He went to it and looked out.

* * * * *

It was the little walled garden on which he looked, in which, if he had
but known it, the lad whom