He swore under his breath. A plaguy mean trick this of women's--defying just when they are safe! He had to play the father--and the father-in-law to be; to seem calm, wise, benevolent, paternally affectionate, patronizing to young love from the sage eminence of years that he was just, a second ago, forgetting. Since she had come into his house, to be Vivien's companion and exemplar, a year ago, they had had many of these rough defiant flirtations. He was not easily snubbed, she not readily frightened. They had worked together over Vivien's rather severe training in a matter-of-fact way; but there had been this diversion for hours of leisure. Why not? Flirtation of this order was not the conventional thing between the girl's father and the girl's companion. No matter! They were both vigorously self-confident people; the flirtation suited the taste of at least one of them, and served the ends of both. The near approach of the lovers--the imminence of a declared engagement--made a change. Wellgood advanced more openly; Isobel challenged and repelled more impudently. The moment for which he had waited seemed near at hand; she suffered under an instinctive impulse to prove that she too had her woman's power and could use it. But, deep down in her mind, the proof was more for Harry's enlightenment than for Wellgood's subjugation. She had an overwhelming desire not to appear, in Harry's conquering eyes, a negligible neglected woman. She mocked the Meriton standard--but shared it. "Look round!" He obeyed her. "Arm in arm!" He started, and glowered at the approaching couple. Vivien hastily dropped Harry's arm. "Oh, that's nothing--she's just afraid! It's settled all the same. And within my ten minutes!" "Aye, you're a--!" He smiled in grim fierce admiration. "Shall I take three months' notice, Mr. Wellgood?" She was lying back in her chair again, insolent and serenely defiant. "I might have betted after all, and been quite safe," she said. Harry victorious in conquest, Vivien with her more precious conquest in surrender, were at Wellgood's elbow. He had to wrench himself away from his own devices. "Well, what have you got to say, Vivien?" he asked his daughter rather sharply. She was looking more than usually timid. What was there to be frightened at? "She hasn't got anything to say," Harry interposed gaily. "I'm going to do the talking. Are you feeling romantic to-day, Mr. Wellgood?" Wellgood smiled sourly. "You know better than to try that on me, Master Harry." "Yes! Well, I'll cut that, but I just want to mention--as a matter of business, which may affect your arrangements--that Vivien has promised to marry me." Vivien had stolen up to her father and now laid her hand lightly on his shoulder. He looked at her with a kindly sneer, then patted her hand. "You like the fellow, do you, Vivien?" "Yes, father." "Then I daresay we can fix matters up. Shake hands, Harry." Vivien kissed his forehead; the two men shook hands.