l. And she
was beautiful in her maturity; a challenge to the world of males. As
she stood there, rising from behind the wall, flushed, quivering,
abandoned to an emotion and yet unconsciously dignified by that peculiar
stateliness that never left her--as she stood there it seemed as if she
really was offering a challenge.

"I'll fetch Mag, if you like," said Edwin.

"Well," said Janet, lifting her chin proudly, "it isn't a secret.
Alicia's engaged." And pride was in every detail of her bearing.

"Well, I never!" Edwin exclaimed.

Mrs Hamps's features resumed the full smile.

"Can you imagine it? I can't! It seems only last week that she left
school!"

And indeed it seemed only last week that Alicia was nothing but legs,
gawkiness, blushes, and screwed-up shoulders. And now she was a
destined bride. She had caught and enchanted a youth by her mysterious
attractiveness. She had been caught and enchanted by the mysterious
attractiveness of the male. She had known the dreadful anxiety that
precedes the triumph, and the ecstasy of surrender. She had kissed as
Janet had never kissed, and gazed as Janet had never gazed. She knew
infinitely more than Janet. She had always been a child to Janet, but
now Janet was the child. No wonder that Janet was excited.

"Might one ask who is the fortunate young gentleman?" Mrs Hamps
dulcetly inquired.

"It's Harry Hesketh, from Oldcastle... You've met him here," she added,
glancing at Edwin.

Mrs Hamps nodded, satisfied, and the approving nod indicated that she
was aware of all the excellences of the Hesketh family.

"The tennis man!" Edwin murmured.

"Yes, of course! You aren't surprised, are you?"

The fact was that Edwin had not given a thought to the possible
relations between Alicia and any particular young man. But Janet's
thrilled air so patently assumed his interest that he felt obliged to
make a certain pretence.

"I'm not what you'd call staggered," he said roguishly. "I'm keeping my
nerve." And he gave her an intimate smile.

"Father-in-law and son-in-law have just been talking it over," said
Janet archly, "in the breakfast-room! Alicia thoughtfully went out for
a walk. I'm dying for her to come back." Janet laughed from simple
joyous expectation. "When Harry came out of the breakfast-room he just
put his arms round me and kissed me. Yes! That was how I was told
about it. He's a dear! Don't you think so? I mean really! I felt I
mu