Half an hour later the energetic lady’s automobile was heard at the door. And now behold, a grand council, with the Major and his wife, Mrs. Chilton, Mrs. Tuis, Mr. Mandeville Castleman, Sylvia and Celeste—the last having learned that something startling had happened, and being determined to find out about it. “Now,” began Aunt Nannie, “what is this that Basil has been trying to tell me?” There was no reply. “Mandeville,” she demanded, “have you heard this news?” “No,” said Uncle Mandeville. “That Sylvia has engaged herself to Frank Shirley!” “Good God!” said Uncle Mandeville. “Sylvia!” exclaimed Celeste, in horror. “Is it true?” demanded Aunt Nannie—in a tone which said that she declined to comment until official confirmation had been received. “It is true,” said Sylvia. “And what have you to say about it?” inquired Aunt Nannie. She looked first at the Major, then at his wife, and then at Mrs. Tuis; but no one had anything to say. “I can’t quite believe that you’re in your right senses,” continued the speaker. “Or that I have heard you say the words. What _can_ have got into you?” “Nannie,” said the Major, clearing his throat, “Sylvia doesn’t want to marry him for a long time.” “But she proposes to be engaged to him, I understand!” “Yes,” admitted the other. “And this engagement is to be announced?” “Why—er—I suppose——” “Certainly,” put in Sylvia. “And when, may I ask?” “At once.” “And is there nobody here who has thought of the consequences? Possibly you have overlooked the fact that one of my daughters has planned to marry Ridgely Peyton next month. That is to be called off?” “What do you mean, Aunt Nannie?” “Can you be childish enough to imagine that the Peytons will consent to marry into a family with a convict’s son in it?” “Nannie!” protested the Major. “I know!” replied Mrs. Chilton. “Sylvia doesn’t like the words. But if she proposes to marry a convict’s son, she may as well get used to them now as later. It’s the thing that people will be saying about her for the balance of her days; the thing they’ll be saying about all of us everywhere. Look at Celeste there—just ready to come out! How much chance she’ll have—with such a start! Her sister engaged to Frank Shirley!” Sylvia turned to Celeste, and the eyes of these two met. Celeste turned pale, and her look was eloquent of dismay. “Nannie,” put in the Major, protestingly, “Frank Shirley is a fine, straight fellow——” “I’ve nothing to say against Frank Shirley,” exclaimed the other. “I know nothing about him, and never expect to know anything about him. But I know the story of his family, and I know that he’s no right in ours. And what’s more, he knows it too—if he were a man with any conscience or self-respect, he’d not consent to ruin Sylvia’s life!” “Aunt Nannie,” broke in the girl, “is one to think of nothing in marriage but worldly pride?”