Lady Camper left her chair. ‘Dear me, this is very strange, unless I am singularly in error,’ she said. The General now faintly guessed that he might be in error, for his part. But he had burned his ships, blown up his bridges; retreat could not be thought of. He stood, his head bent and appealing to her sideface, like one pleadingly in pursuit, and very deferentially, with a courteous vehemence, he entreated first her ladyship’s pardon for his presumption, and then the gift of her ladyship’s hand. As for his language, it was the tongue of General Ople. But his bearing was fine. If his clipped white silken hair spoke of age, his figure breathed manliness. He was a picture, and she loved pictures. For his own sake, she begged him to cease. She dreaded to hear of something ‘gentlemanly.’ ‘This is a new idea to me, my dear General,’ she said. ‘You must give me time. People at our age have to think of fitness. Of course, in a sense, we are both free to do as we like. Perhaps I may be of some aid to you. My preference is for absolute independence. And I wished to talk of a different affair. Come to me tomorrow. Do not be hurt if I decide that we had better remain as we are.’ The General bowed. His efforts, and the wavering of the fair enemy’s flag, had inspired him with a positive re-awakening of masculine passion to gain this fortress. He said well: ‘I have, then, the happiness, madam, of being allowed to hope until to-morrrow?’ She replied, ‘I would not deprive you of a moment of happiness. Bring good sense with you when you do come.’ The General asked eagerly, ‘I have your ladyship’s permission to come early?’ ‘Consult your happiness,’ she answered; and if to his mind she seemed returning to the state of enigma, it was on the whole deliciously. She restored him his youth. He told Elizabeth that night; he really must begin to think of marrying her to some worthy young fellow. ‘Though,’ said he, with an air of frank intoxication, ‘my opinion is, the young ones are not so lively as the old in these days, or I should have been besieged before now.’ The exact substance of the interview he forbore to relate to his inquisitive daughter, with a very honourable discretion. CHAPTER IV Elizabeth came riding home to breakfast from a gallop round the park, and passing Lady Camper’s gates, received the salutation of her parasol. Lady Camper talked with her through the bars. There was not a sign to tell of a change or twist in her neighbourly affability. She remarked simply enough, that it was her nephew’s habit to take early gallops, and possibly Elizabeth might have seen him, for his quarters were proximate; but she did not demand an answer. She had passed a rather restless night, she said. ‘How is the General?’ ‘Papa must have slept soundly, for he usually calls to me through his door when he hears I am up,’ said Elizabeth. Lady Camper nodded kindly and walked on.