Young Newcome is a favourite butt, and they often mimic him for my
benefit. Well, I hope you let the poor fellow down gently, and saved me
a disagreeable task."

"But--but, my dear Austin, you don't understand. He cannot be dismissed
in that easy fashion, for he says--it is inconceivable--I don't know
what to make of it--but he tells me that he has spoken to Lettice
herself, and that she has accepted him!"

"What?" Mr Bertrand put down his cup and turned to confront Miss Carr
with a face from which every trace of laughter had disappeared.
"Accepted him? Lettice? This is serious indeed. Had you ever
suspected--or noticed any sign of an attachment growing up between
them?"

Miss Carr wrung her hands in distress.

"My dear Austin, how can you ask such a question? As if I would not
have consulted with you at once if that had been the case. You know
what Arthur Newcome is--the acme of all that is sober and stolid. I
have never seen a sign of emotion of any kind on his face until this
afternoon. He has seen a good deal of Lettice, for she and Madge are
great friends, but I never thought of anything more--never for one
moment! And as for Lettice herself, I am confident that the child never
thought of him in that light, and that she is as heart-whole as I am
myself."

"Then why--why--?"

"Oh, don't ask me! I am too miserable and disappointed to speak. I
thought I had guarded against this sort of thing; but you know what
Lettice is. He is very much in love, and no doubt she was pleased and
flattered."

Mr Bertrand thrust his hands into his pockets and paced up and down the
room. His face looked drawn and anxious, but after five minutes had
passed he drew a long breath and made a determined effort at
cheerfulness.

"Well, it's a bad business, but it has to be faced. I am humiliated and
disappointed that Lettice could have behaved so foolishly; but you must
not blame yourself, my dear old friend. No one could have done more for
the child for the last three years, and I am glad I am here to help you
through this difficulty. The young fellow will have to be told that
there has been a mistake. I am sorry for him, but it is better now than
later on. When did you say you expected Lettice?"

"She may be here at any moment. She was to leave her friends at six
o'clock. I thought I heard the door open just now. Perhaps she has
arrived."

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.

LETTICE IS OBSTINATE.

Miss Carr's su