g to fight them."

He smiled wanly, droopingly. "Another snubbing, I suppose. But you
needn't take it in such ill part. I don't profess to belong to the
aristocracy: I do profess to be a friend, one of the sort that's to be
trusted. And I think you'll come to recognise that in the long run.
Whatever happens, John Shanner's your friend, and when the time comes,
you'll find him ready to hand. But I earnestly advise you not to delay.
Throw up all this business before there's mischief."

Alice smiled bravely. "I repeat that Mr. Wyndham and myself are on the
happiest of terms, though I am sure you mean your advice for the
kindest."

She took up her stand behind this simple assertion, so that he could not
beat down her refusal to be drawn into a deeper discussion. By degrees
he pulled together his decorum, recovered his frigidity, and ultimately
retired with the dignified utterance, "Well, I hope you are not going to
be disillusionised, my child, but I have my doubts. At any rate, as I
say, I stand by you in any case. Only promise me one thing, that if ever
you find my warning was not mistaken, you will do me the justice to
admit it."

She thanked him gravely, and assured him that she fully appreciated his
kindness, and willingly made the promise. She was glad indeed of the
chance of winding up the interview thus amicably. Yet, when he had gone,
she felt panic-stricken at this revelation of how openly she had been
wearing her heart--as if veritably on her sleeve. How fortunate her
parents had observed nothing yet! But they, of course, were taking the
perfection of everything so entirely for granted, and were so happy
themselves over the beautiful romance which had transformed their
household and their lives, that it was difficult for any suspicion to
enter their heads. Certainly they had never read any expression in her
face save that of rapture and contentment.

She must try to control herself. If only, like other women, she were
more practised in assuming a surface self that won acceptance, that none
could penetrate!

But Mr. Shanner was so absolutely in the right. Was it really worth
while going on as at present? Could anything be more unhappy than all
this uncertainty and perplexity? Something must be done. Things must
come soon to a crisis.

And then, one morning, some two or three days before the end of the
month she received a letter from Wyndham, who had dined with them the
evening before, announcing that he