hat nice young man, Basil Stanhope; and also the general attitude of
the Denning household, which was a comprehensive disapproval of all that
Mr. Bryce said and did.

Dora had, however, talked all her anger away; she wished now to be
friends with her brother. She knew that his absence from her wedding
would cause unpleasant notice, and she had other reasons, purely
selfish, all emphasizing the advantages of a reconciliation. So she went
to meet Bryce with a pretty, pathetic air of injury patiently endured,
and when Bryce put out his hands and said, "Forgive me, Dodo! I cannot
bear your anger any longer!" she was quite ready for the next act, which
was to lay her pretty head on his shoulder and murmur, "I am not angry,
Bryce--I am grieved, dear."

"I know, Dodo--forgive me! It was all my fault. I think I was jealous of
you; it was hard to find that you loved a stranger better than you loved
me. Kiss me, and be my own sweet, beautiful sister again. I shall try to
like all the people you like--for your sake, you know."

Then Dora was charming. She sat and talked and planned and told him
all that had been done and all that was yet to do. And Bryce never
once named either Ethel or Mr. Mostyn. He knew Dora was a shrewd little
woman, and that he would have to be very careful in introducing the
subject of Mr. Mostyn, or else she would be sure to reach the central
truth of his submission to her. But, somehow, things happen for those
who are content to leave their desires to contingencies and accidentals.
The next morning he breakfasted with the family and felt himself
repaid for his concession to Dora by the evident pleasure their renewed
affection gave his father and mother; and though the elder Denning
made no remark in the renewed family solidarity, Bryce anticipated many
little favors and accommodations from his father's satisfaction.

After breakfast he sat down, lit his cigar and waited. Both his mother
and Dora had much to tell him, and he listened, and gave them such
excellent advice that they were compelled to regret the arrangements
already made had lacked the benefit of his counsels.

"But you had Ethel Rawdon," he said. "I thought she was everybody rolled
into one."

"Oh, Ethel doesn't know as much as she thinks she does," said Mrs.
Denning. "I don't agree with lots of things she advises."

"Then take my advice, mother."

"Oh, Bryce, it is the best of all."

"Bryce does not know about dress and such things,