“I felt equal to playing my rôle. He looked from me to Mr. Clifton, and from Mr. Clifton to Miss Burden. ‘Oh,’ I said, ‘I forgot that you don’t know Miss Burden, papa. This is my father, Miss Burden. Miss Burden is the young lady whom Mr. Clifton promised to marry four years ago. It is a nice question, and one which no doubt will have to be decided in a Court of law, but it really seems to me that he is still engaged to marry Miss Burden. But of course there were other girls and other secret engagements.’” “You said that? How neat! And your father?” “He said ‘Don’t be a fool, Josephine. What nonsense is this, Clifton?’ ‘I think I should like five minutes alone with Miss Burden; I think I could bring her to see that nothing would be gained by----’ ‘I do not want such an interview with you,’ said Miss Burden. ‘I am here and if Mr. West wishes to ask me any question--Mr. West or Miss West--I shall answer it in your presence, Ernest.’ I pitied my father--I really did. ‘Clifton,’ said he, ‘do you mean to tell me that you were not a free man when you made your proposal to my daughter?’ ‘A free man? that girl is a fool--an utter fool!’ said Mr. Clifton. ‘Good heavens! Because a man happens--psha! it was four years ago. There is nothing criminal in the business!’ ‘Oh, no,’ said I, ‘nothing criminal--only ridiculous; but for my part I have no intention of allowing my name to be associated with the brackets in the newspaper reports enclosing the words “Great laughter in the court,” and I cannot believe that my father anticipates such a destiny for me.’ Then my father did a foolish thing. He said, ‘Madam, what damages do you hope for in this matter? Do you fancy that any jury would award you more than a thousand pounds? That would be ridiculous. But at the same time--I have my cheque-book here--supposing we say fifteen hundred pounds?’” “He fancied that she would take it? Was he deceived by the ospreys in her Parma-violet hat, do you think?” “He couldn’t have been, they were quite simple. But anyhow the girl walked straight to the door and was out before any one could say a word.” “How good!” “I ran after her and caught her up on the landing. I kissed her, and--well, I didn’t think it worth while returning to the drawing-room. But when I was putting on my hat to come to you, my father met me and said, ‘Don’t you fancy that because this business has gone astray for a while there is the smallest chance of your getting my consent in regard to--to that fellow from Australia. Perhaps it is as well for us to be clear of Clifton--such men have no sense of honour; but don’t you think for a moment that this Winwood man--Clifton told me all about him--will get my consent.’ So you see, my dear, although I have escaped from Ernest Clifton... oh, how horribly I talked when you came to see me... But you knew that I cared for Pierce--you knew that I had given him my promise--you knew that he----”