pared for; irony, argument, she was quite ready to face; but it
had not entered her mind that Mrs. Lessingham would invoke authority to
oppose her. Such a step was alien to all the habits of their
intercourse, to the spirit of her education. She had deemed herself a
woman, and free; what else could result from Mrs. Lessingham's method
of training and developing her? This disillusion gave a shock to her
self-respect; she suffered from a sense of shame; with difficulty she
subdued resentment and impulses yet more rebellious. It was ignoble to
debate in this way concerning that of which she could not yet speak
formally with her own mind; to contend like an insubordinate
school-girl, when the point at issue was the dearest interest of her
womanhood.

"I think, aunt," she said, in a changed voice, speaking as though her
opinion had been consulted in the ordinary way, "it will be better for
you to sec Mr. Elgar--if you are willing to do so."

"Quite."

"But I must ask you to let him know exactly why I have not granted his
request. You will tell him, if you please, just what has passed between
us. If that does not seem consistent with your duty, or dignity, then I
had rather you wrote."

"Neither my duty nor my dignity is likely to suffer, Cecily," replied
her aunt, with an ironical smile. "Mr. Elgar shall know the simple
state of the case. And I will forthwith write to Mr. Mallard."

"Thank you."

There was no further talk between them. Mrs. Lessingham sat down to
write. With the note-paper before her, and the pen in hand, she was a
long time before she began; she propped her forehead, and seemed lost
in reflection. Cecily, who stood by the window, glanced towards her
several times, and in the end went to her own room.

Mrs. Lessingham's letter was not yet finished when a servant announced
Elgar's arrival. He was at once admitted. On seeing who was to receive
him, he made an instant's pause before coming forward; there was merely
a bow on both sides.

Elgar knew well enough in what mood this lady was about to converse
with him. He did not like her, and partly, no doubt, because he had
discerned her estimate of his character, his faculties. That she alone
was in the room gave him no surprise, though it irritated him and
inflamed his impatience. He would have had her speak immediately and to
the point, that he might understand his position. Mrs. Lessingham,
quite aware of his perfervid state of mind, had pleasure in d