think of losing Lettice in any case, and I am aware that I am not
what is called a good match. Such a beautiful girl--her father's
daughter, your ward--might marry into any circle. I sympathise with
your disappointment; but, believe me, Lettice should never have any
reason to regret her choice. I would devote my life to securing her
happiness. I will call to-morrow morning, then, with your permission.
Eleven o'clock? Thank you! Pray pardon any distress I may have caused
you, and think of me as indulgently as you can."

He left the room, and Miss Carr raised both hands to her head with a
gesture of despair.

"He is all that he should be--humble, devoted, deferential--but oh,
Lettice! my poor, dear child, what a mistake you have made! You would
eat your heart out in a year's time, married to a man whom you do not
love; and you don't love Arthur Newcome, I know you don't--it is all
vanity, and weakness, and imagination. Poor Austin, what a welcome for
him! A nice pill for me to have such a piece of news to tell--I, who
was going to do such wonders for the child! Well, well! this comes of
mixing oneself up in other people's affairs. She could have come to no
worse fate than this if I had left her to vegetate in Clearwater."

There was no more rest for Miss Carr that afternoon. The magazine lay
neglected on the table, the cushions fell to the ground and lay
unnoticed as she fidgeted about, now rising and pacing angrily to and
fro, now throwing herself on a seat in weary despair. She alternately
longed for and dreaded Mr Bertrand's arrival, and it needed all her
self-control to keep up a semblance of cheerfulness while he drank his
tea and refreshed himself after the long journey. It was not easy,
however, to deceive such an intimate friend. Mr Bertrand studied her
face with critical eyes, and said kindly--

"You are not up to the mark, Helen; you look tired and worried! That
youngster of mine has not been misbehaving herself, I hope? What's the
trouble?"

"Oh, Austin, the deluge! The most awful complication. I feel inclined
to whip her! Would you believe it, that wooden Arthur Newcome called
upon me this very afternoon, not two hours ago, to ask my consent to his
engagement to Lettice!"

"Arthur Newcome? Oh, I know--the solemn person in the frock coat! What
preposterous nonsense! Lettice is a baby! We must not let the young
people at home hear of this, or they will tease the poor girl to death.