"Yes," said Mr Bertrand, "we know all about it by this time, Lettice. Mr Newcome has interviewed Miss Carr. She was intensely surprised; I also; but she has had more opportunity of seeing you together, and she tells me that you have shown no special signs of interest in this young fellow. Tell me, my dear--speak frankly, we are only thinking of your happiness--have you allowed yourself to be persuaded against your own judgment? It is a pity if that is the case, but it can be remedied. There is no engagement as yet, and I can easily explain to Mr Newcome that you have made a mistake." Lettice had seated herself opposite her father and busied herself pulling off her long suede gloves. She avoided her father's glance, but the answer came in a little, breathless gasp--"Oh, no, no! I don't want--" "No--you say _no_? Lettice, this is a serious matter. Do you mean to tell me that you love Arthur Newcome, and wish to marry him? Think well, my dear. You know what it means--that you are content to spend your life with this man, to give up everything for him, to say good-bye to friends and relations--" "Father, Miss Carr is here; you are all coming up for the winter; he lives here. I should not have to leave you!" "You can't count on that, Lettice. Mr Newcome's business arrangements might make it necessary for him to leave London at any time, and it would be your duty to follow. Do you care for him enough to make such a sacrifice? If you love him you will not hesitate; but _do_ you love him? That is what I want to hear! Come, Lettice, speak; I am waiting for your answer." "I--I--father, I do like him! I promised I would. I think he is very kind!" The two elders exchanged glances of baffled helplessness. There was silence for a few minutes, then Mr Bertrand seated himself by Lettice's side and took her hand in his. "My dear little girl, let us understand each other. Of course he is `kind'; of course you `like him,' but that is not enough; you must do something more than `like' the man who is to be your husband. Do you care for him more than for me and Miss Carr, and your sisters and brothers all together? If he were on one side of the scale and we on the other, which would you choose? That is the way to face the question. You must not be satisfied with less. My dear, you are very young yet; I think you had better let me tell Mr Newcome that he is not to mention this matter again for the next two years, until you are twenty-one. By that time you will know your own mind, and, if you still wished it, I should have no more to say. You would be willing to leave it in that way, wouldn't you, dear?" But Lettice did not look at all willing. She drew her hand away from her father's grasp, and turned her shoulder on him with a pettish gesture which was strangely unlike her usual sweet demeanour.