"Thank you, Miss Chandos," said Captain Haig, "but I have not your courage." "Cha-a-ah! fancy being afraid of a poor little oyster--a Bombay oyster! What are you two confabbing about? You look as if you were discussing the affairs of the nation." Verona made no answer (a partner had come to claim her for the next dance), and her late cavalier replied to the question with a forced smile. "We were only arranging the affairs of some of our friends." Dominga, as she moved on, turned her long neck, and with one of her peacock screams, cried: "Happy friends!" CHAPTER XXXV Mrs. Lepell resolutely refused to dance; she declared that she did not consider it compatible with her responsibility as chaperon. But she chatted to her many friends, and listened complacently to the warm admiration they expressed for the pretty girl she brought with her. All at once Brian Salwey came and threw himself into a seat beside her, and said: "Now, I'm going to give you a shock, Aunt Liz." "That will be nothing new," she retorted with a laugh. "But this, I warn you, will be out of the common. Do you know what brought me here to-night?" "The train, and a second-class gharry." "Yes; and the solemn resolve to ask Miss Verona Chandos to marry me!" "No words can express my astonishment! Brian, you must be mad!" she exclaimed. "No; although I do three acrostics a week, I'm still fairly sane. What have you to say against her? She is a lady, she is beautiful, and she is good. What more would you have?" "Well, since you ask me, I would have a little money, and, my dear Brian! think of her family! Think of your mother-in-law! Think of your grandmother-in-law!" "At present," he replied with the utmost composure, "I am not disposed to think of anyone but Verona, and if it comes to that, why don't you ask me to think of my father and my step-mother? My father married to please himself, and I shall certainly do the same." "I had not the smallest suspicion of this," murmured Mrs. Lepell, opening and shutting her fan, with a meditative air. "Has it not occurred to you that I have been a good deal at Manora of late?" "Yes." "To what did you attribute that?" "To a natural desire to see me, your Aunt Liz, your mother's only sister. You know you are rather fond of your Aunt Liz." "I am," he assented, and he laid his hand in hers, "and as it was certainly my Aunt Liz who first drew my attention to Verona Chandos, she has only to thank herself for the result." "I am much attached to Verona myself; she is a dear, good girl; her beautiful face is but the outer shell of a beautiful, unselfish soul. Still, in spite of her mind and form, and much as I love her, I do not desire her as a niece. I know there is no use in arguing with you, Brian. What will be, will be. Your mind is made up, you will ask her to marry you, possibly within the hour." "Possibly." "And within the hour--she will refuse you."