He looked with a certain eager wistfulness at Lettie, expecting to see her start with surprise. But fond as he was of her, Cotherstone had so far failed to grasp the later developments of his daughter's character. Lettie Cotherstone was not the sort of young woman who allows herself to be surprised by anything. She was remarkably level-headed, cool of thought, well able to take care of herself in every way, and fully alive to the possibilities of her union with the rising young manufacturer. And instead of showing any astonishment, she quietly asked her father what he meant. "I'll tell you," answered Cotherstone, greatly relieved to find that both seemed inclined to talk matters quietly over. "It's this--I've not been feeling as well as I ought to feel, lately. The fact is, Bent, I've done too much in my time. A man can work too hard, you know--and it tells on him in the end. So the doctor says, anyhow." "The doctor!" exclaimed Lettie. "You haven't been to him?" "Seen him this afternoon," replied Cotherstone. "Don't alarm yourself. But that's what he says--naught wrong, all sound, but--it's time I rested. Rest and change--complete change. And I've made up my mind--I'm going to retire from business. Why not? I'm a well-to-do man--better off than most folks 'ud think. I shall tell Mallalieu tomorrow. Yes--I'm resolved on it. And that done, I shall go and travel for a year or two--I've always wanted to go round the world. I'll go--that for a start, anyway. And the sooner the better, says the doctor. And----" here he looked searchingly at his listeners--"I'd like to see you settled before I go. What?" Lettie's calm and judicial character came out in the first words she spoke. She had listened carefully to Cotherstone; now she turned to Bent. "Windle," she said, as quietly as if she were asking the most casual of questions, "wouldn't it upset all your arrangements for next year? You see, father," she went on, turning to Cotherstone, "Windle had arranged everything. He was going to have the whole of the spring and summer away from business; we were going on the Continent for six months. And that would have to be entirely altered and----" "We could alter it," interrupted Bent. He was watching Cotherstone closely, and fancying that he saw a strained and eager look in his face, he decided that Cotherstone was keeping something back, and had not told them the full truth about his health. "It's all a matter of arrangement. I could arrange to go away during the winter, Lettie." "But I don't want to travel in winter," objected Lettie. "Besides--I've made all my arrangements about my gowns and things." "That can be arranged, too," said Bent. "The dressmaker can work overtime." "That'll mean that everything will be hurried--and spoiled," replied Lettie. "Besides, I've arranged everything with my bridesmaids. They can't be expected to----"