Mrs. Mercer felt the drop in the temperature. "But it would be such a _splendid_ thing for Mollie, dear," she pleaded, "and she does so come out in company. I thought she looked quite as pretty as the Grafton girls to-night, and I was quite proud of her, the way she behaved, enjoying herself, but never pushing herself forward, and everybody liking her and all." "If you've quite finished, Gertrude," said the Vicar, as coldly as before, "I should like to say something. I'd no idea--no idea whatever--that it was on that young man's invitation that Mollie was there to-night and----" "Oh, but it wasn't, dear. It was Nora who wrote to her. Of course _he_ wouldn't have done it." "Let me finish, please. Here is a young girl living, with her mother, almost under our protection. Whatever friends they have made here they have made through us. I was glad enough for Mollie to be taken up by the Graftons, although she does not belong to their class by birth, and there is some danger of her thinking herself their equal in a way which _they_ may perhaps come not to like, if she pushes it too far. That is why I wished her not to go to the Abbey too much, unless I, or you, were with her. I feel a responsibility towards the girl." "But, Albert dear, surely it has got past that now! She's their friend just as much as we are. And they _love_ having her there." "Please let me finish, Gertrude. I know she's their friend, and now see what it has led to! By your own showing, Mrs. Pemberton doesn't even know Mrs. Walter. She is only _going_ to call on her, because her daughter is going to _make_ her. Yet, on the invitation of a young man, who has taken a fancy to her,--well, on his sister's invitation then, if you must be so particular, which _she_, this time, is _made_ to _give_,--Mollie can so far forget herself as to go to the house of perfect strangers and be entertained by them. Why, it's lending herself to--to-- I'd really rather not say what. To me it seems perfectly outrageous. Have you, I should like to ask, really looked upon Mollie in the light of a girl that any young man can throw down his glove to, and she'll pick it up?" "Oh, _no_, Albert dear," expostulated Mrs. Mercer, greatly distressed by the suggestion. "It isn't like that at all. _She_ isn't like that, and I'm sure _he_ isn't like that either. I was watching him at dinner, and afterwards, and I believe he really is in----" "I don't want to hear any more," said the Vicar abruptly, throwing himself back in his seat and folding his arms. "I shall call on Mrs. Walter to-morrow and have it out with her--and with Mollie." There was a toot of a big bass horn behind them, and the other car went sliding past. The three girls were sitting together as before, and waved gaily to them as they passed. Mrs. Mercer returned the greeting. The Vicar took no notice of it at all, and remained obstinately silent for the rest of the drive home. CHAPTER XI CAROLINE