rstanding. I told her I saw no
harm in it, but I should just like to hear from yourself. Has Cassandra
been left a little too much in the company of Mr. Denham?"

Katharine did not reply at once, and Mr. Hilbery tapped the coal
encouragingly with the poker. Then she said, without embarrassment or
apology:

"I don't see why I should answer Aunt Celia's questions. I've told her
already that I won't."

Mr. Hilbery was relieved and secretly amused at the thought of the
interview, although he could not license such irreverence outwardly.

"Very good. Then you authorize me to tell her that she's been mistaken,
and there was nothing but a little fun in it? You've no doubt,
Katharine, in your own mind? Cassandra is in our charge, and I don't
intend that people should gossip about her. I suggest that you should be
a little more careful in future. Invite me to your next entertainment."

She did not respond, as he had hoped, with any affectionate or humorous
reply. She meditated, pondering something or other, and he reflected
that even his Katharine did not differ from other women in the capacity
to let things be. Or had she something to say?

"Have you a guilty conscience?" he inquired lightly. "Tell me,
Katharine," he said more seriously, struck by something in the
expression of her eyes.

"I've been meaning to tell you for some time," she said, "I'm not going
to marry William."

"You're not going--!" he exclaimed, dropping the poker in his immense
surprise. "Why? When? Explain yourself, Katharine."

"Oh, some time ago--a week, perhaps more." Katharine spoke hurriedly and
indifferently, as if the matter could no longer concern any one.

"But may I ask--why have I not been told of this--what do you mean by
it?"

"We don't wish to be married--that's all."

"This is William's wish as well as yours?"

"Oh, yes. We agree perfectly."

Mr. Hilbery had seldom felt more completely at a loss. He thought that
Katharine was treating the matter with curious unconcern; she scarcely
seemed aware of the gravity of what she was saying; he did not
understand the position at all. But his desire to smooth everything over
comfortably came to his relief. No doubt there was some quarrel, some
whimsey on the part of William, who, though a good fellow, was a little
exacting sometimes--something that a woman could put right. But though
he inclined to take the easiest view of his responsibilities, he cared
too much for this daughter to l