citor-general before long.

"Well, Nan will have to decide for herself," said Sir John, evading his
wife's remonstrances. "After all, I couldn't refuse the man for her,
could I?" He did not say that he had tried to lead the backward lover
on.

"Yes, you could," said Lady Pynsent. "You could have told him it was out
of the question. But the fact is, you want it. You have literally thrown
Nan at his head ever since he stayed with us last summer. You are so
devoted to your friend, Mr. Campion!"

"You will see that he is a friend to be proud of," said Sir John, with
conviction. "He is one of the cleverest men of the day, he will be one
of the most distinguished. Any woman may envy Nan----"

"If she accepts him," said Lady Pynsent.

"Don't you think she will?"

"I have no idea. In some ways, Nan is so childish; in others, she is a
woman grown. I can never answer for Nan. She takes such idealistic views
of things."

"She's a dear, good girl," said Sir John, rather objecting to this view
of Nan's character.

"My dear John, of course she is! She's a darling. But she is quite
impracticable sometimes, as you know."

Yes, Sir John knew. And for that very reason, he wanted Nan to marry
Sydney Campion.

He warned his wife against speaking to the girl on the subject: he had
promised Campion a fair field, and he was to speak as soon as he got the
opportunity. "He's coming to dinner next Wednesday; he may get his
chance then."

But Sydney got it before Wednesday. He found that the Pynsents were
invited to a garden party--a social function which he usually avoided
with care--for which he also had received a card. The hostess lived at
Fulham, and he knew that her garden was large and shady, sloping to the
river, and full of artfully contrived sequestered nooks, where many a
flirtation was carried on.

"She won't like it so well as Culverley," said Sydney to himself, with a
half smile, "but it will be better than a drawing-room."

He did not like to confess to himself how nervous he felt. His theory
had always been that a man should not propose to a woman unless he is
sure that he will be accepted. He was not at all sure about Nan's
feelings towards him, and yet he was going to propose. He told himself
again that he had not meant to speak so soon--that if he saw any signs
of distaste he should cut short his declaration altogether and defer it
to a more convenient season; but all the same, he knew in his own heart
that he