ur own way. As for
you, Katherine, you took a very grave responsibility on your shoulders
when you persuaded your young brother to live with you here, in this
neighbourhood, away from all your relations. Your influence has been for
anything but good."

"My dear uncle, you are so funny; but you're mistaken. I know Miss
Craven, the lady you mean, perfectly well; she and Ted are great
friends, and it's all right, I assure you."

"Do you mean to tell me he is engaged to this young lady he goes about
with?"

Katherine hesitated: if she had felt inclined to gratify a curiosity
which she considered impertinent, she was not at liberty to betray their
secret.

"I can't tell you that, for I'm not supposed to know."

"Let me tell you, then, that it looks bad--very bad. To begin with, your
cousin Nettie strongly disapproves of the young woman's appearance, so
loud and over-dressed, evidently got up to attract. But it lies in a
nutshell. If he's not engaged to her, why is he seen everywhere with
her? If he is engaged to her, and she's a respectable woman--I say _if_
she's respectable, why doesn't he introduce her to his family? Why
doesn't he ask your aunt Kate to call on her?"

"Well, you see, supposing they are engaged, they wouldn't go and
proclaim it all at once; and in any case, that would depend more on Miss
Craven than Ted. I can't tell you any more than I have done; and I'd be
greatly obliged if you wouldn't allow Ted's affairs to be gossiped
about by cousin Nettie or anybody else."

She was relieved for the moment by the entrance of Mrs. Rogers with the
tea-tray.

"Tea, uncle?"

"No, thank you, none of your cat-lap. I must see Ted himself. Where is
he?"

"I'm not sure, but I _think_ he's gone out."

Mrs. Rogers looked up from her tray, pleased to give valuable
information.

"Mr. 'Aviland is in 'is bedroom, m'm; I 'eard 'im as I come up."

"Oh, I'll go and tell him then."

She found Ted dressing himself carefully before calling on Audrey. She
wasted five minutes in trying to persuade him to see his uncle. Ted was
firm.

"Give him my very kindest regards, and tell him a pressing engagement
alone prevents my waiting on him."

With that he ran merrily downstairs. His feet carried him very swiftly
towards Audrey.

Katherine gave the message, with some modifications; and Mr. Pigott,
seeing that no good was to be gained by staying, took his leave.

Ted came back sooner than his sister had expected. He smi