And then Lady Caroline's desire for conversation seemed to cease. She proposed that they should go in search of her daughter, and Janetta followed her to the conservatory in some trouble and perplexity of mind. It struck her that Margaret was not looking very well pleased when they arrived--perhaps, she thought, because of their appearance--and that Sir Philip had a very lover-like air. He was bending forward a little to take a white flower from Margaret's hand, and Janetta could not help a momentary smile when she saw the expression of his face. The earnest dark eyes were full of tenderness, which possibly he did not wish to conceal. Janetta could never doubt but that he loved her "rare pale Margaret" from the very bottom of his heart. The two moved apart as Lady Caroline and Janetta came in. Lady Caroline advanced to Sir Philip and walked away with him, while Margaret laid her hand on Janetta's arm and led her off to her own sitting-room. She scarcely spoke until they were safely ensconced there together and then, with a half-pouting, mutinous expression on her softly flushed face-- "Janetta," she began, "there is something I must tell you." "Yes, dear?" "You saw Sir Philip in the conservatory?" "Yes." "I can't think why he is so foolish," said Margaret; "but actually, Janetta--he wants to marry me." "Am I to call him foolish for that?" "Yes, certainly. I am too young. I want to see a little more of the world. He is not at all the sort of man that I want to marry." "Why not?" said Janetta, after waiting a little while. "Oh," said Margaret, with an intonation that--for her--was almost petulant; "he is so absurdly suitable!" "_Absurdly_ suitable, dear Margaret?" "Yes. Everything is so neatly arranged for us. He is the right age, he has the right income, the right views, the right character--he is even"--said Margaret, with increasing indignation--"even the right _height_! It is absurd. I am not to have any will of my own in the matter, because it is all so beautifully suitable. I am to be disposed of like a slave!" Here was indeed a new note of rebellion. "Your father and mother would never make you marry a man whom you did not like," said Janetta, a little doubtfully. "I don't know. Papa would not; but mamma!----I am afraid mamma will try. And it is very hard to do what mamma does not like." "But you could explain to her----" "I have nothing to explain," said Margaret, arching her delicate brows. "I like Sir Philip very well. I respect him very much. I think his house and his position would suit me exceedingly well; and yet I do not want to marry him. It is so unreasonable of me, mamma says. And I feel that it is; and yet--what can I do?" "There is--nobody--else?" hazarded Janetta. Margaret opened her lovely eyes to their fullest extent.