"Well, it's not a great match, but it's quite satisfactory, Harry. You'll find no opposition here. I like her very much, and your mother does too, I know. But"--he smiled and lifted his brows--"it's a trifle sudden, isn't it?" "Sudden?" cried Harry. "Why, I've known her all my life!" "Yes, but you haven't been in love with her all your life. And, if report speaks true, you have been in love with some other women." Mr. Belfield was a man of the world; his tone was patient and not unduly severe as he referred to Harry's adventures of the heart, which had reached his ears from friends in London. "Yes, I know," said Harry; "but those were only--well, passing sort of things, you know." "And this isn't a passing sort of thing?" "Not a bit of it; I'm dead sure of it. Well, a fellow can't tell another--not even his father--what he feels." "No, no, don't try; keep all that for the lady. But if I were you I'd go a bit slow, and I wouldn't tell your mother yet. There's no particular hurry, is there?" Harry laughed. "Well, I suppose that depends on how one feels. I happen to feel rather in a hurry." "Go as slow as you can. Passing things pass: a wife's a more permanent affair. And undoing a mistake is neither a very easy nor a very savoury business." "I'm absolutely sure. Still I'll try to wait and see if I can manage to get a little bit surer still, just to please you, pater." "Thank you, old boy; I don't think you'll repent it. And, after all, it may be as well to give the lady time to get quite sure too--eh?" His eyes twinkled. He was fully aware that Harry would not think a great deal of time necessary for that. "Oh, by-the-bye," he went on, "I've a little bit of good news for you. I've interceded with your mother on Andy Hayes' behalf, and her heart is softened. She says she'll be very glad to see him here--" "Hurrah! That's very good of the mater." "--when we're alone, or have friends who we know won't object." He laughed a little, and Harry joined in the laugh. "A prudent woman's prudent provisoes, Harry! I wish both you and I were as wise as your mother is." "Dear old Andy--he's getting quite the fashion! I'm to take him to Nutley too." "Excellent! Because it looks as if Nutley would be coming here to a certain extent in the immediate future, and he'll be able to come when Nutley does." He rose from his chair. "My throat's bothersome to-night; I'll leave you alone with your cigarette." Harry smoked a cigarette that seemed to emit clouds of rosy smoke. All that lay in the past was forgotten; the future beckoned him to glittering joys. "Marriage is his best chance, but even that's a considerable chance with Master Harry!" thought his father as he sat down to his book. The one man who had serious fears--or at least doubts--about Harry Belfield's future was his own father. "I probably shan't live to see the trouble, if any comes," he thought. "And if his mother does--she won't believe it's his fault." Chapter V.