"Quite so," agreed Mrs. Perage, who looked more grim and masculine than ever. "I have asked the fragments to come here to-day for the sweeping." "What do you mean?" "My meaning is plain enough, young man!" she replied vigorously. "I want all this disagreeable business concluded, so that it will not be necessary to re-open it again. Then, as soon as possible, you must arrange about getting the property, marry Gwen, and go for a year's tour in Europe, or in the States, if you like. I don't care where you go, so long as you get away." "I don't know if Owain is strong enough to travel yet," said Gwen, who was sitting beside the sofa holding her lover's hand. "Fudge!" retorted Mrs. Perage, standing on the hearthrug in quite a manly attitude, with her hands behind her back. "Don't make a mollycoddle of the fellow, you silly girl. While he remains here, everything will remind him of the horrors which have taken place. Let him travel to forget, and then he can return to take up his work as the Squire of Cookley. You must go with him, as he is sure to be miserable without you." "That is very certain!" said Hench, smiling. "Well, then," cried Mrs. Perage argumentatively, "so young a girl can't go with you as a chaperon, can she? Marry her in a couple of weeks and then no one can say a word, even if you take her to the North Pole." "But my father has not been dead very long," murmured Gwen nervously. "My dear, don't be a fool. God forbid that I should say a word against your father, who has paid for his foolishness. But you owe him nothing and you never got on with him. Then why sacrifice yourself to a feeling which does not exist? Pfui!" Mrs. Perage rubbed her nose. "Can't you understand that I am anxious to see the backs of you two nuisances? I've had quite enough bother with you as it is." Hench laughed outright, knowing that Mrs. Perage looked upon himself and Gwen as her own children. "You wouldn't be happy without us," he said gaily. "You would have no one to scold." "Oh, there's always Jim Vane, at a pinch," said Mrs. Perage good-humouredly. "But I daresay I shall miss you two brats. Babies, that's what you are. As to scolding, there will be plenty of that when you return. You are the Lord of the Manor, but I have much property in Cookley also, so there will be ample for us to fight about. I want my own way and so do you. Hum!" Mrs. Perage rubbed her hands. "There are lively times ahead."