"I am afraid my uncle is in one of his boisterous moods" sighed Sylvia finishing her coffee, "but he does get so excited poor uncle especially when he has been out the night before. I don't remember seeing much of him at the ball. I was so taken up with Leslie. I am rather glad I did not see him though for nothing would induce him to wear evening clothes or a shirt front and he insisted on going in his bicycling suit and such a soiled red tie and _oh_ his hair it was really like a crows nest, I don't know what Mr. and Mrs. Woodcock would have said if he had suddenly burst out with that dreadful 'Tommy Atkins.' but there poor uncle he _has_ such spirits." So saying Sylvia skipped into her uncle's study. "Hullo hullo my lassie" he cried tossing down last week's 'Pick me up.' "I wanted to speak to you Uncle" said Sylvia putting her trembling hand on Mr. Earlsdown's shoulder. "Talk away then" said Mr. Earlsdown "I am prepared for the very worst news." "It's nothing much" said the girl "only-- "Wake up wake up my child" said her uncle "only what?" "Only that Leslie Woodcock has asked me to marry him and with your permission I will accept." "I dare say you will" said Mr. Earlsdown "but I am not going to give my consent" replied the excitable gentleman "I am not going to see you marry a begger." "But uncle he is not a begger" cried Sylvia "he is well off, honest and dependable" "I dare say he is all that" said Mr. Earlsdown "dependable indeed! why ten to one when you have been married to him a month he will devoice you for some other girl he is silly enough to prefer; no no you shall marry a lord, that is what I want for my money, so next time you see young Woodcock just send him about his business, impudent young fellow!!" "Uncle have _some_ mercy" here burst from Sylvia's pale lips "I'll never marry any one else" and with a cry of "Leslie _my_ Leslie" she fled from the room and flinging herself on her own bed gave way to bitter tears. But finally taking heart of grace she siezed her blotting book and poured forth these heart rending words. MY OWN, Owing to my merciless uncle I am forced to give you up as he thinks to marry a lord, but _no never!_ my Leslie and although I may never see you again think of me always as I shall of you and believe me to be Yours and yours alone SYLVIA. CHAPTER 6 THE ELOPEMENT It was past 2 o'clock before Leslie received Sylvia's wretched appeal. It was brought to him in his room whilst dressing for an afternoon party. Leslie read it carefully through and then throwing it on the floor seezed his head in his hands and thought it over. Presently he looked up with, a determined expression on his face "I must marry her" he cried, and then sitting down he picked up a sheet of writing paper and prepared to answer the note and this was what he said.