Still it had been rather absurd, Michael thought, as he tapped his egg, to suppose there was anything in Stella’s temperament which could ever link her to Lily. Should he announce his quest for her approbation and sympathy? It was difficult somehow to begin. Already a subtle change had taken place in their relation to each other since she was engaged to Alan. Of course, his reserve was ridiculous, but he could not bring himself to break through now. Besides, in any case it were better to wait until he had found Lily again. It would all sound very pretentiously noble in anticipation, and though she would have every right to laugh, he did not want her to laugh. When he stood on the brink of marriage, they would none of them be able to laugh. There was a grim satisfaction in that. “When does mother suggest you should be married?” he asked. “We more or less settled November. Alan has given up the Civil Service. That’s my first piece of self-assertion. He’s coming for me this morning, and we’re going to lunch at Richmond.” “You’ve never met Mr. and Mrs. Merivale?” Stella shook her head. “Old Merivale’s a ripping old boy. Always making bad puns. And Mrs. Merivale’s a dear.” “They must both be perfect to have been the father and mother of Alan,” said Stella. “I shouldn’t get too excited over him,” Michael advised. “Or over yourself, either. You might give me the credit of knowing all about it long before either of you.” “Darling Michael,” she cried, bounding at him like a puppy. “When you’ve done making an ass of yourself you might chuck me a roll.” Alan arrived soon after breakfast, and he and Michael had a few minutes together, while Stella was getting ready to go out. “Were your people pleased?” Michael asked. “Oh, of course. Naturally the mater was a little nervous. She thought I seemed young. Talked a good deal about being a little boy only yesterday and that sort of rot.” “And your governor?” “He supposed I was determined to steal her,” said Alan, with a whimsical look of apology for the pun. “And having worked that off he spent the rest of the evening relishing his own joke.”