What I have
got to say I would rather say outside," said Docimer.

"Certainly," said Frank. "I suppose I'm to be allowed to return?"

"If he does not,"--said Imogene, who at her brother's request had
left the room, but still stood at the open door,--"if he does not
I shall go to him in Penzance. You will hardly attempt to keep me a
prisoner."

"Who says that he is not to return? I think that you are two idiots,
but I am quite aware that I cannot prevent you from being married if
you are both determined." Then he led the way out through the hall,
and Frank followed him. "I cannot understand that any man should be
so fickle," he said, when they were both out on the walk together.

"Constant, I should suppose you mean."

"I said fickle, and I meant it. It was at your own suggestion that
you and Imogene were to be separated."

"No doubt; it was at my suggestion, and with her consent. But you see
that we have changed our minds."

"And will change them again."

"We are steady enough in our purpose, now, at any rate. You hear
what she says. If I came down here to persuade her to alter her
purpose,--to talk her into doing something of which you disapproved,
and as to which she agreed with you,--then you might do something by
quarreling with me. But what's the use of it, when she and I are of
one mind? You know that you cannot talk her over."

"Where do you mean to live?"

"I'll tell you all about that if you'll allow me to send into
Penzance for my things. I cannot discuss matters with you if you
proclaim yourself to be my enemy. You say we are both idiots."

"I do."

"Very well. Then you had better put up with two idiots. You can't
cure their idiocy. Nor have you any authority to prevent them from
exhibiting it." The argument was efficacious though the idiocy was
acknowledged. The portmanteau was sent for, and before the evening
was over Frank had again been received at Tregothnan as Imogene's
accepted lover.

Then Frank had his story to tell and his new proposition to make.
Aunt Rosina had offered to join her means with his. The house in
Green Street, no doubt, was small, but room it was thought could be
made, at any rate till the necessity had come for various cribs and
various cradles. "I cannot imagine that you will endure to live with
Aunt Rosina," said the brother.

"Why on earth should I object to Aunt Rosina?" said Imogene. "She and
I have always been friends." In her present mood she would hardly
h