"Oh, it's kind of her to be ambitious for me," said Harry good-naturedly. "I quite appreciate that. But--" His eyes twinkled again, and his voice fell to a confidential whisper. "Well, you've been behind the scenes, haven't you? My last shot in that direction has put me a bit off." It was his first reference to the catastrophe; she was curious to see whether he would develop it. This Harry proceeded to do. "You were precious hard on me about that business, Doris," he said in a gentle reproach. "Of course I don't justify what happened. But my dear old pater and Wellgood pressed matters a bit too quick--oh, not Vivien, I don't mean that for a moment. There's such a thing as making the game too easy for a fellow. I didn't see it at the time, but I see it now. They had their plan. Well, I fell in with it too readily. It looked pleasant enough. The result was that I mistook the strength of my feelings. That was the beginning of all the trouble." Vastly amused, the Nun nodded gravely. "I ought to have thought of that before I was so down on you." He looked at her in a merry suspicion. "I'm not sure you're not pulling my leg, Doris; but all the same that's the truth about it. And at any rate I suppose you'll admit I did the right thing when--when the trouble came?" "Yes, you did the right thing then." "I'm glad you admit that much! I say--I suppose you--you haven't heard anything of Vivien Wellgood?" "I hear she's in excellent health and spirits." "I've never been so cut up about anything. Still, of course, she was a mere girl, and--well, things pass!" "Luckily things pass. I've no doubt she'll soon console herself." "He'll be a very lucky fellow," said Harry handsomely. After all, he himself had admired Vivien, and his taste was good. "He will. In fact I think I know only one man good enough for her--and that's Andy Hayes." Harry's face was suddenly transformed to a peevish amazement. "My dear girl, are you out of your mind? Don't say such silly things! Old Andy's a good chap, but the idea that Vivien would look at him! He's not her class; and she's the most fastidious little creature alive--as dainty and fastidious as can be!" He smiled again--probably at some reminiscence. "I don't see why her being fastidious should prevent her liking Andy." Harry broke into open impatience. "I like old Andy--well, I think I've done something to prove that--but, upon my soul, you all seem to have gone mad about him. You all ram him down a man's throat. It's possible to have too much of him, good fellow as he is. He and Vivien Wellgood! Well, it's simply damned ridiculous!" He took out his watch and, as he looked at it, exclaimed with great irritation, "Why the devil doesn't this woman come?" "I thought Mrs. Belfield was always so punctual?" "It's not Mrs. Belfield," Harry snapped out. "Well, don't be disagreeable to the poor woman simply because I said something you didn't like."