Mr. George Bertram; but always as
Mrs. George Bertram's husband. With such a bride-elect as that, you
cannot expect to stand on your own bottom. If you can count on being
lord-chancellor, or secretary of state, you may do so; otherwise,
you'll always be known as an appendage."

"Oh, I'll put up with that misery."

This visit of inspection had been very successful, and George went
to bed in the highest spirits. In the highest spirits also he walked
to church with Harcourt, and there met the two ladies. There was
something especially rapturous in the touch of his fingers as he
shook hands with Caroline when the service was over; and Miss Baker
declared that he looked almost handsome when he went home with them
to lunch.

But that afternoon his bliss was destined to receive something of a
check. It was imperative that Harcourt should be in town early on the
Monday morning, and therefore it had been settled that they should
return by the latest train that Sunday evening. They would just be
able to dine with Miss Baker, and do this afterwards. Harcourt had,
of course, been anxious to be allowed to return alone; but Bertram
had declined to appear to be too much in love to leave his mistress,
and had persisted that he would accompany him.

This having been so decided, he had been invited to a little
conference at Miss Baker's, to be holden upstairs in her private
little sitting-room before dinner. He had had one or two chats with
Miss Baker in that same room before now, and therefore did not
think so much of the invitation; but on this occasion he also found
Caroline there. He felt at once that he was to be encountered with
opposition.

Miss Baker opened the battle. "George," said she, "Caroline has made
me promise to speak to you before you go up to town. Won't you sit
down?"

"Upon my word," said he, seating himself on a sofa next to Caroline;
"I hardly know what to say to it. You look so formal both of you. If
I am to be condemned, my lord, I hope you'll give me a long day."

"That's just it," said Miss Baker; "it must be a long day, I'm
afraid, George."

"What do you mean?"

"Why this; we think the marriage must be put off till after you have
been called. You are both young, you know."

"Nonsense!" said George, rather too imperiously for a lover.

"Nay, but George, it is not nonsense," said Caroline, in her sweetest
voice, almost imploringly. "Don't be impetuous; don't be angry with
us. It is for your sake