"Hang his wedding! Well, then, next day--and get a definite answer from Janet. It's too bad of her. Did you have any talk with her to-day?" "Only general conversation. She gave me no chance." "I don't understand her, but I'll have it settled. I've been at Mount Pleasant, and--by God, Phil, I can't stand the sort of anxious, beseeching way Nellie looks. I know it sounds absurd to hear a man talk like that, but it's a fact." "Then why do you go?" "Well, considering what she's done, I don't see how I can very well stay away." "Oh! No, I suppose not," said Philip, touching up his plan; "but if I were you, Dale, I should wait a bit before I bothered Miss Delane again. Give her time, man." "No, I won't. She's not treating me fairly." "What's that got to do with it? You want to marry her, don't you?" "Of course I do." "Then give her time. Give her a week at all events. You can sound her at the wedding to-morrow, but don't present your ultimatum." And Dale agreed, on much persuasion, to give her a week. "That's more sensible. And, Dale, may I ask Arthur Angell down for a day or two?" "Of course, but I don't know whether he'll come." "Oh, he'll come, fast enough." "What do you want him for?" "To consult him about a little work of mine," answered Philip, regarding his sketch critically. "Going to publish something?" "I don't know. That depends." "On the publishers? _Ça va sans dire._ But how can Arthur help you?" "He was there." "Where?" "Now, Dale, I can understand your impatience--but you must wait. If I publish it, you shall see it." "Is it my sort? Shall I like it?" "I think your feelings would be mixed," said Philip, delicately filling in Nellie Fane's figure on the ground. CHAPTER XXVI. =Against her Better Judgment.=