In the drawing-room with Mrs. Joliffe were her three daughters, Louisa, Clare, and Mary; some three or four friends were also assembled. They were astonished to see Mr. Bede Greatorex: none of them knew him well, except Louisa, who had paid a long visit to his father's house the previous year. She changed colour when he was announced: and it may have been that his voice took a tenderer tone as it addressed her; his hand lingered longer in clasping hers than it need have done. She was an excessively fashionable young lady: not very young, perhaps six or seven-and-twenty: and if Bede Greatorex coveted her for a wife it was to be hoped his pockets were well lined. He spoke just a word to Mrs. Joliffe of having come down on a mission to Mr. Ollivera; not stating explicitly what it was; and said he was going back home in the morning. "We are expecting Mr. Ollivera here tonight," observed Mrs. Joliffe. "He is late." "Are you?" was the reply of Mr. Greatorex. "John said he might be going out, I remember, but I did not know it was to your house. Don't make too sure of him, Mrs. Joliffe, he seemed idle, and complained of headache." "I suppose he is busy," remarked Mrs. Joliffe. "All you law people are busy at assize time." "Louisa, is it as it should be between us?" whispered Bede Greatorex, in an opportunity that occurred when they were alone near the piano. "Don't be silly, Mr. Greatorex," was the answer. "Silly!" She bent her bead, not speaking. "What do you mean, Louisa? Our engagement was entered upon deliberately: you gave me every hope. You cannot play with me now. Speak, Louisa." He had taken possession of her hand, and was keeping her before him; his dark eyes, gleaming with their doubt and love, looked straight into hers. "What?" she faintly asked. "Why do you question it?" "Because your manner is strange: you have avoided me ever since I came in." "The surprise was so great." "Surely a pleasant surprise. I intended it as such. Do you suppose I should have cared to come down on this business to Mr. Ollivera, when writing would have answered every purpose? No: I came to see you. And to learn why----" "Not now. Don't you see mamma is looking at me?" "And what though she is? I should have liked to speak to your mother tonight, but for----" "Not tonight. I pray you not tonight. Take another opportunity." The words reassured him. "Then, Louisa, it is all right between us." "Yes, yes, of course it is. You offended me, Bede, last January, and I--I have been vexed. I'll write to you as soon as you get back home, and explain everything."