“I don’t know about being the best way; but it is the most pleasant. What is the use of living, if one has to do nothing but struggle,” said Lady Gwendolyn, who found drifting with the tide a happier state of things than struggling against circumstances. There was a minute’s silence, and then Colonel Dacre looked up from the carpet, which he had been studying with great apparent interest, and observed: “To-day is Wednesday, is it not?” “I believe so.” “How long does it take to buy a dress, Gwen?” “That depends upon the buyer. If you are fond of shopping it takes several hours; if you dislike shopping as much as I do it only takes a few minutes.” “A few minutes! Come, that is delightful!” he said cheerily. “But, then, it has to be made, I suppose?” “Well, as a rule.” “You are quizzing me, Gwen, I perceive. We always expose ourselves to ridicule when we ask for information.” “Of course, because you display your ignorance so conspicuously. But tell me what makes you take an interest in these feminine matters, Lawrence?” “I was calculating that we might easily be married on Tuesday, my love.” “Really, Lawrence!” she exclaimed, blushing furiously. “I thought you had more common sense.” “Well, but what need prevent it?” “A hundred things.” “Mention one or two.” “I am not ready, for one thing.” “You mean as far as clothes go? That is of no consequence, as you can buy whatever you want afterward. You will naturally wish to consult my taste, and, therefore, it will be very convenient to have me on the spot to appeal to at every moment.” “I should like to see your face of disgust under the infliction,” she said, laughing nervously. “You are quite welcome to the spectacle. But go on with your reasons, Gwen; we have only had one so far, and you have still ninety-nine in reserve.” “It would look so odd.” “My dear child, when you consider how many people do get married, such an ordinary case as ours would not look odd, I assure you. Besides, I thought we had both decided not to mind what people said. Not that people will say anything that need afflict you. Lady Teignmouth is known to be an impracticable person, and very jealous of your beauty; so that when it is reported that neither she nor your brother was present at your wedding, it will be laid to her. Lord Teignmouth and I were always excellent friends; and though I am not a very grand person, still, I do not think he would be supposed to object to the marriage.” “Of course not. How could he?” said Lady Gwendolyn quickly. “I never dreamed they would find any objection of that sort.” “What, then?” “I suppose they must accuse me of having behaved badly in some way to account for Reggie’s desertion.” “Not at all; they will think it is one of my lady’s caprices. She is cordially disliked by her own sex, because she has a way of making herself so extremely agreeable to their husbands.” “Like your friend, Mrs. O’Hara,” put in Lady Gwendolyn maliciously.