'Because you keep on bothering. Always writing, always telephoning, always calling! As soon as I've disposed of _one_ invitation or excuse to meet, you invent another. But this last idea is quite too exasperating.' She spoke more gently. 'Don't you know, Cecil, that I've been a widow for years? Would I be so ridiculous as to marry again? Why, the one thing I can't stand is being interfered with! I prefer, far prefer, being poor and alone to that. Now what I want you to do is to marry someone else. I have an idea who I should like it to be, but I won't talk about it now. It's the most charming girl in the world. I shan't tell you her name, that would be tactless. It's that lovely Miss Verney, of course. She's much too good for you--an heiress, a beauty, and an orphan! But she's wonderful; and she really deserves you.' He stopped her. 'How heartless you are!' he said admiringly. 'Really not, Cecil. I'm very fond of you. I'd be your best friend if you'd let me, but I shan't speak to you again or receive you at all unless you promise not to repeat that nonsense about marrying. I know how horridly obstinate you are! Please remember it's out of the question.' At this moment the servant brought in a letter to Mrs Raymond. As she read it, Cecil thought she changed colour. 'It's only a line from Sir Charles Cannon,' she said. 'What's he writing about?' 'Really, Cecil! What right have you to ask? I certainly shan't say. It's about his ward, if you must know. And now I think you'd better go, if you will make these violent scenes.' He stood up. 'You must let me come soon again,' he said rather dejectedly. 'I'll try not to come tomorrow. Shall I?' 'Yes, do try--not to come, I mean. And will you do everything I tell you?' 'I suppose it will please you if I dine with Hyacinth Verney this evening? She asked me yesterday. I said I was half-engaged, but would let her know.' 'Yes, it _would_ please me very much indeed,' said Mrs Raymond. 'Please do it, and try to know her better. She's sweet. I don't know her, but--' 'All right. If you'll be nice to me. Will you?' She was reading the letter again, and did not answer when he said good-bye and left the room. CHAPTER VI The Little Ottleys 'Edith, I want you to look nice tonight, dear; what are you going to wear?' 'My Other Dress,' said Edith. 'Is it all right?' 'It ought to be. Would you like to know what I've done to it? I've cut the point into a square, and taken four yards out of the skirt; the chiffon off my wedding-dress has been made into kimono sleeves; then I'm going to wear my wedding-veil as a sort of scarf thrown carelessly over the shoulders; and I've turned the pointed waist-band round, so that it's quite _right_ and short-waisted at the back now, and--'