The Hon. Nathaniel disliked any reference to that raised check. “If he marries you, perhaps he will find it difficult to support you without borrowing money--but I shall not loan him any.” “He says he can support me as well as I wish, and I am going to marry him.” This was flat-footed defiance, and the Hon. Nathaniel grew red in the face at being thus bearded in his den. “Maude, I am astonished. I command you not to meet this young man again unless in my presence or that of your mother. When I meet him, I shall have something to say to him.” He resumed the reading of the document, and Maude, knowing that it was useless to say more, left the room. The next day at noon, Maude told her mother she was going to make some purchases on Winter Street. As no objection was made, Maude felt sure that her father had not mentioned their conversation to her mother. She met Harry and they walked down the “Long Path” on the Common, made famous by the genial “Autocrat,” not only of one breakfast table, but of thousands of others. “He will never consent,” said Maude. “I thought so.” “He was real mean to me--as sarcastic as he could be.” “Rich fathers are usually indignant when their daughters wish to marry poor men. He can have no other objection to me.” “Have you any money saved up, Harry?” “Yes, I've got two thousand dollars in the bank to furnish our flat with.” “We shall have to go to a justice of the peace, for father will not let me be married at home. Oh, if Aunt Ella were here.” “Where is she?” “In England. She's the wife of a baronet, and he is rich and so is Aunt Ella.” “Maude, let's elope and go to England for our honeymoon.” * * * * * * * Aunt Ella and Alice had been to Ketchley to make some purchases for young Quincy's wardrobe. As they entered the house a maid said that a young lady and gentleman were waiting to see them. “Both of us?” queried Aunt Ella. The maid replied: “They said they wished to see Lady Fernborough and Mrs. Quincy Adams Sawyer.” “I will see if baby is all right and join you in a few minutes,” said Alice. Aunt Ella passed her hat and wrap to the maid, and entered the drawing room. “Maude Sawyer, what cloud did you drop from? Where did you come from? Excuse me,” said Aunt Ella as she espied Maude's companion, who had kept in the background. “This is my husband, Mr. Harry Merry. We're just from London. We've been doing the town. What a big noisy place.” Alice came in and the introduction was repeated. “Well, Maude,” said Aunt Ella, “we're delighted to see you and your husband, but your arrival was so unexpected that you must pardon my evidences of surprise.” “They're very excusable,” said Maude. “I can hardly realize, myself, that we are here. You and Alice are wondering what brought us, and you are entitled to an explanation. We just eloped because father would not give his consent.”