is disappointed
too--indeed, I know that he is; he wanted me to marry an older man--but,
all the same, he agrees with me, that a man so honourable and clever,
one who has borne so high a character, who is so good a son and brother,
would be likely to make a woman happy.'

Mr. Harcourt shrugged his shoulders. They were arguing from different
points. Audrey was not likely to convince him: he had started with a
preconceived dislike to the whole business. He now proceeded to pull
Audrey's impulsive speech to pieces.

'I do not deny that Blake is a good fellow, and he is clever, too; but
in marrying him you will be descending in the social scale. Who are the
Blakes? No one knows anything about them--Edith always declared the
father was a City man--but we do know that his mother is distinctly
objectionable!'

'Excuse me, Percival, but you are speaking of a close friend. Even if
she were not Cyril's mother, my friendship for her should prevent you
from speaking against her in my presence.'

Mr. Harcourt groaned as he heard the word 'Cyril,' but he felt at the
same time that he had gone too far: his quick temper had carried him
away. He hastened to apologise.

'You must forgive me, Audrey, if I speak a little too plainly. But this
is such a bitter disappointment to me, my very affection for you makes
me object all the more strongly to this engagement. As Geraldine said to
me last night, she has only one sister--and this makes it all the harder
for her.'

'Yes, I understand; and I am very sorry to disappoint you both. But,
Percival, the thing is done now, and I want you and Gage to make the
best of it.'

'Will you not reconsider your decision?' he asked, and there was
softness and real affection in his look. 'Perhaps, after all, you may
have mistaken your feelings; a girl is sometimes talked into a thing.'

But she shook her head.

'I have not mistaken them,' she said quietly. 'Don't say any more,
Percival; I have no wish to quarrel; and, of course, I am a little sore
about this.'

Then Mr. Harcourt felt that his mission had been unsuccessful; the girl
was contumacious, and would listen to no one.

'It's all Dr. Ross's fault,' he said to himself, as he took up his hat
and prepared to walk with her to Hillside. 'If he had refused his
consent she would have given the thing up; but in worldly matters my
respected father-in-law is a mere child.'

CHAPTER XXVI

HOW GERALDINE TOOK IT TO HEART

'This wor