"Am I to understand, madam, that Miss Clotilde Dymcox accepts this Mr-- Mr Elbraham of her own free choice and will?" It required a tremendous effort to get out that name "Elbraham," but he forced it from his lips at last. "Captain Glen," said the Honourable Philippa, rising and darting a very severe glance at her sister because she did not rise as well, "this is presuming upon your position here as an acquaintance--a very casual acquaintance. I cannot discuss this matter with you." "As you will, madam," replied Glen, who felt hot with indignant rage. "May I ask your permission to see Clotilde?" "To see Miss Clotilde Dymcox?" said the Honourable Philippa, with dignity. "Under the circumstances, I think, sister, certainly not." She darted another fierce look at the Honourable Isabella, who was growing weaker and more agitated moment by moment, as she asked herself whether it was possible that, in spite of the disparity of their ages, she might yet try to soothe Marcus Glen's wounded spirit, and offer him the sympathy of her virgin heart. "I ask it in justice to myself, madam," cried Glen, "for your niece--" He was going to say more, but he checked himself, and bit his lips. "Of course, ladies, you would be present." "Impossible!" said the Honourable Philippa grimly. "Don't--don't you think, sister," faltered the Honourable Isabella, "that--that--Captain Glen might--might just see--just see Clotilde--for a few moments?" "No!" said the Honourable Philippa, with quite a snap of her artificial teeth, and the Honourable Isabella seemed to shrink back into herself, quite dismayed by her sister's almost ferocious way. "I thank you, Miss Isabella," said Glen, so warmly that the poor old lady's heart began to palpitate at an unwonted rate, and she trembled and her hands were agitated, as if she would gladly have laid them in their visitor's broad palms.--"You decline, then, to allow me to see Miss Clotilde?" The Honourable Philippa bowed, and turned to her sister to see if she made as dignified a response to his appeal; but to her horror she saw her sister shaking her head violently as Glen now appealed to her in turn. "Then, madam," cried Glen angrily, "I give you fair warning that I shall spare no pains to gain an interview with your niece, for I do not, I will not believe that this is honest. It cannot be, and I am certain that the poor girl has been forced into this engagement. Ladies, I will say no more, for I fear that if I do I shall lose my temper. Miss Dymcox, good-morning. Miss Isabella, I thank you for your show of sympathy; good-bye." He felt that there could be no excuse for a longer stay, and strode angrily from the room; but he had hardly reached the foot of the stairs before he became aware of the fact that Marie was coming out of the schoolroom, where Ruth was now alone and a witness of what passed.