ay or other," insisted Lady Gertrude, and
waited for a reply.

Nan flared up at the older woman's arbitrary manner.

"That's rather a funny way to put it, isn't it?" she said quickly.
"I'm--I'm not a child, you know."

"You behave very much like one at times," retorted Lady Gertrude. "I've
done my utmost since you came here to fit you to be Roger's wife, and
without any appreciable result. You seem to be exactly as irresponsible
and thoughtless as when you arrived."

The cold, contemptuous criticism flicked the girl's raw nerves like the
point of a lash. She sprang to her feet, her eyes very bright, as though
tears were not far distant, her young breast rising and falling unevenly
with her hurrying breath.

"Is that what you think of me?" she said unsteadily. "Because then I'd
better go away. It's what I want--to go away! I--I can't bear it here
any longer." Her fingers gripped the edge of the table tensely. She was
struggling to keep down the rising sobs which threatened to choke her
speech. "I know you don't want me to be Roger's wife--you don't think
I'm fit for it! You've just said so! And--and you've let me see it every
day. I'll go--I'll go!"

Lady Gertrude's face remained quite unchanged. Only the steely gleam in
her eyes hardened.

"When this hysterical outburst is quite over," she said scathingly, "I
shall be better able to talk to you."

Nan made no answer. It was all she could do to prevent herself from
bursting into tears.

"Sit down again." Lady Gertrude pointed to a chair, and Nan, who felt
her legs trembling under her, sat down obediently. "You're quite
mistaken in thinking I don't wish you to be Roger's wife," continued Lady
Gertrude quietly. "I do wish it."

Nan glanced across at her in astonishment. This was the last thing she
had expected her to say--irreconcilable with her whole attitude
throughout the last two months. Lady Gertrude returned the glance with
one of faint amusement. She could make a good guess at what the girl was
thinking.

"I wish it," she pursued, "because Roger wishes it. I should like my son
to have everything he wants. To be perfectly frank, I don't consider he
has made a very suitable choice, but since he wants you--why, he must
have you. No, don't interrupt me, please"--for Nan, quivering with
indignation, was about to protest. "When--if ever you are a mother you
will understand my point of view. Roger has made his choice--and of
course he