"I remember now, you told me you wished to see my friend, and the organ is just an excuse. You came on purpose to see him." "Perhaps I did," said Thorold dryly. "He is in the library, writing letters. I don't think he wishes to be disturbed." "Oh, I will fetch him," said Mrs. Wharnecliffe, who had no qualms about interrupting her visitor's occupation. She was not surprised to find him smoking a cigarette and moodily sitting by the window doing nothing. "I want you to make acquaintance with Gentian's cousin, Mr. Holt," she said cheerfully. "May I bring him in here?" "This is your house," the young fellow said, rising hastily from his seat in some confusion; "of course I shall be very glad to see him." So Thorold was brought in and introduced; and then Mrs. Wharnecliffe went back to Gentian, who did not look very pleased. "Cousin Thorold is very obstinate in doing his own will," she said; "why does he come over to see Jim Paget? Does he want to see if he is a fit friend for me? If he was a gorilla, I should stick up for him if I wanted to. Cousin Thorold couldn't well prevent me." "Now, Gentian, my dear child, I want you to be frank with me. This Mr. Paget considers you are virtually engaged to him. Is this so? He evidently wants matters to be settled. Is it that you cannot make up your mind? Do you really like him? I want to help you if I can. He says he has known and loved you for five years. You cannot keep a man waiting too long, though I own you are full young yet to marry. He seems to me a nice straightforward man with means of his own and he is very fond of you." "He has been getting hold of you. I told you the other day what I feel about him. He is too strong-willed for me. I don't know which is worst, he or Cousin Thorold. Of course Cousin Thorold is more reliable, and a little kinder. I saw him pick up a village child and kiss it the other day when it had fallen and hurt itself. Jim would never do that, he would push it out of his way. Jim is going through the world elbowing people right and left—clearing his way, and knocking down everybody and everything that stops his progress. Cousin Thorold looks out for those he can help, but he likes to manage those he helps, and that's where they are alike. Jim likes to manage too. No, it's no good, Mrs. Wharnecliffe, if Jim wants his answer now, I'll give it to him, but I shall be awfully sorry if he goes away in a huff and never sees me again; because I shall have no friend left then; and he has always been as good as a brother to me." "It is only fair to him that it should be one thing or the other," said Mrs. Wharnecliffe; "if you don't want to marry him, you must not keep him hanging round you." Gentian was silent. Then she said in an animated tone: "Now I wonder what those two are talking about? May I go and see?" "I think you had better wait. They will come to us when they want us." And in a very few minutes Thorold came in. He addressed himself to Gentian.