Mrs. Bilton however, didn't take anything away, but opened the door an inch instead. "There's someone wants to speak to you, Mr. Twist," she said in a loud whisper, thrusting in a card. "He says he just must. I found him on the verandah when I took your brandy out, and as I'm not the woman to leave a stranger alone with good brandy I brought him in with me, and he's right here back of me in the tea-room." "It's John," remarked Anna-Felicitas placidly. "Come early." "I say--" said a voice behind Mrs. Bilton. "Yes," nodded Anna-Felicitas, getting up out of the deep chair. "That's John." "I say--may I come in? I've got something important--" Mr. Twist looked at Anna-Felicitas. "Wouldn't you rather--?" he began. "I don't mind John," she said softly, her face flooded with a most beautiful light. Mr. Twist opened the door and went out. "Come in," he said. "Mrs. Bilton, may I present Mr. Elliott to you--Commander Elliott of the British Navy." "Pleased to meet you, Commander Elliott," said Mrs. Bilton. "Mr. Twist, your brandy is on the verandah. Shall I bring it to you in here?" "No thank you, Mrs. Bilton. I'll go out there presently. Perhaps you wouldn't mind waiting for me there--I don't suppose Mr. Elliott will want to keep me long. Come in, Mr. Elliott." And having disposed of Mrs. Bilton, who was in a particularly willing and obedient and female mood, he motioned Elliott into the office. There stood Anna-Felicitas. Elliott stopped dead. "This isn't fair," he said, his eyes twinkling and dancing. "What isn't?" inquired Anna-Felicitas gently, beaming at him. "Your being here. I've got to talk business. Look here, sir," he said, turning to Mr. Twist, "could _you_ talk business with her there?" "Not if she argued," said Mr. Twist. "Argued! I wouldn't mind her arguing. It's just her being there. I've got to talk business," he said, turning to Anna-Felicitas,--"business about marrying you. And how can I with you standing there looking like--well, like that?" "I don't know," said Anna-Felicitas placidly, not moving. "But you'll interrupt--just your being there will interrupt. I shall see you out of the corner of my eye, and it'll be impossible not to--I mean I know I'll want to--I mean, Anna-Felicitas my dear, it isn't done. I've got to explain all sorts of things to your guardian--" "He isn't my guardian," corrected the accurate Anna-Felicitas gently. "He only very nearly once was." "Well, anyhow I've got to explain a lot of things that'll take some time, and it isn't so much explain as persuade--for I expect," he said, turning to Mr. Twist, "this strikes you as a bit sudden, sir?"