us
air of solemnity. 'I am sorry to say your sister is dreadfully upset.'

'Oh, I hope not,' returned Audrey quickly.

'I have never seen her more upset about anything. She hardly slept at
all last night, and I was half afraid I should have to send for Dr.
Musgrave this morning: she was not quite strong enough to bear such a
shock.'

'Gage is so sensitive, you see.'

'She is not more sensitive than other people,' feeling himself bound to
defend his wife's nerves. 'I am not in the least surprised to find how
much she has taken it to heart. I think she feels very properly about
it. We are both as disappointed as possible--we hoped better things of
you, Audrey.'

'Is not that a little severe?'

'I think not. I am bound to tell you the truth plainly, that Geraldine
and I strongly disapprove of this engagement.'

'I am so sorry,' returned Audrey, with provoking good-humour; 'but you
see, Percival, one must be guided by one's own feelings in such a
personal matter; and I hope when you and Gage know Mr. Blake a little
better that you will alter your opinion.'

'I am afraid I must differ from you there, even at the risk of
displeasing you. I must say that I think Mr. Blake is the last man to
make you happy.'

'Now, what reason can you have for making such a sweeping assertion?'
asked Audrey, waxing a little warm at this. Percival had no right to
stand there lecturing her after this fashion; it was not in a
brother-in-law's province to interfere with her choice of a lover. If
her parents had given their sanction to her engagement, and allowed her
to throw herself away on a poor man, it was surely no one else's
business to say a dissenting word. Percival might go home and lecture
his own wife if he liked. 'It is a pity you and Gage are so worldly,'
she said, in what was meant to be a withering tone. Audrey had never
been so near quarrelling with her brother-in-law.

'Worldly?' he repeated, in rather a perplexed tone. 'My dear girl, I
confess I do not understand you.'

'It is very easy to understand,' she returned coldly. 'You and Gage
object to Mr. Blake because he is poor and has not made his position;
you think I am throwing myself away, because I have engaged myself to a
junior classical master who has to work his way up.'

'Just so,' observed Mr. Harcourt; 'that is exactly what we do think.'

'And yet you are surprised because I call you worldly. If you only knew
how differently father and I think! Perhaps he