rden, 'do you
think there is anything serious between Gladys and George Fordyce?'

'Eh, what? No, I don't think so.'

'Well, I do. Just look at them at this moment.'

They were sauntering arm in arm on the path within the shadow of the
garden wall, Gladys with a bunch of pink sea daisies in her hand, a
pretty bit of colour against her white gown. There was a tint as
delicate in the fair cheek under the big sun hat, brought there,
perhaps, by some of her companion's words. His attitude and bearing were
certainly lover-like, and his handsome head was bent rather nearer the
big sun hat than Mrs. Fordyce altogether approved.

'Well, I must say, my dear, it looks rather like it, only I've heard the
girls say that George is a great flirt.'

'He is, but I don't think it's flirting in this case,' said Mrs. Fordyce
seriously. 'I am afraid we, or at least I, have been very indiscreet.'

'You wouldn't approve then, Isabel? George is a trifle vain and silly,
but I never heard anything against his character.'

'I suppose not. We would be the last to hear any such rumours. But it
isn't fair to the girl; she has not had a chance. Do you know what
people will say of us, Tom? That we took her away down here and shut her
up among ourselves for the very purpose of matchmaking. It is a blessing
our Leonard is only a boy, but it is bad enough that it should be our
nephew.'

'There's a good deal of truth in what you say, but the world must just
wag its stupid tongue. If the thing is to be, we can't prevent it.'

'We can, we must. She is only a child, Tom. I feel quite convicted of my
own sinful want of observation. I have been thinking of it all day, and
my mind is made up, provided you, as her guardian, will give your
consent. She must go abroad. Do you remember Henrietta Duncan, who
married the French officer? She is living in Bruges now, taking a few
English ladies into her house. Gladys must go there.'

Mr. Fordyce looked at his wife in profound astonishment. He had not
often heard her speak in such a very determined manner.

'Why, of course I can't have any objections, if the child herself is
willing to go,' he said. 'Not that I believe it will do an atom of good.
If there is a love affair in the matter, opposition is the very life of
them. Don't you remember our own case?' he asked, referring, with a
smile, to the old romance which had kept them true through years of
opposition and discouragement.

'I haven't forgotten it