"That'll never do, Stephen--that'll never do! You shouldn't have spoken." Barron's face showed the wound. "But, Rector--" "She's too young," said Meynell, with increased harshness, "much too young! Hester is only seventeen. No girl ought to be pledged so early. She ought to have more time--time to look round her. Promise me, my dear boy, that there shall be nothing irrevocable--no engagement! I should strongly oppose it." The eyes of the two men met. Barron was evidently dumb with surprise; but the vivacity and urgency of Meynell's expression drove him into speech. "We thought you would have sympathized," he stammered. "After all, what is there so much against it? Hester is, you know, not very happy at home. I have my living, and some income of my own, independent of my father. Supposing he should object--" "He would object," said Meynell quickly. "And Lady Fox-Wilton would certainly object. And so should I. And, as you know, I am co-guardian of the children with her." Then, as the lover quivered under these barbs, Meynell suddenly recovered himself. "My dear fellow! No woman ought to marry under twenty-one. And every girl ought to have time to look round her. It's not right; it's not just--it isn't, indeed! Put this thing by for a while. You'll lose nothing by it. We'll talk of it again in two years." And, drawing his chair nearer to his companion, Meynell fell into a strain of earnest and affectionate entreaty, which presently had a marked effect on the younger man. His chivalry was appealed to--his consideration for the girl he loved; and his aspect began to show the force of the attack. At last he said gravely: "I'll tell Hester what you say--of course I'll tell her. Naturally we can't marry without your consent and her mother's. But if Hester persists in wishing we should be engaged?" "Long engagements are the deuce!" said the Rector hotly. "You would be engaged for three years. Madness!--with such a temperament as Hester's. My dear Stephen, be advised--for her and yourself. There is no one who wishes your good more earnestly than I. But don't let there be any talk of an engagement for at least two years to come. Leave her free--even if you consider yourself bound. It is folly to suppose that a girl of such marked character knows her own mind at seventeen. She has all her development to come." Barron had dropped his head on his hands. "I couldn't see anybody else courting her--without--" "Without cutting in. I daresay not," said Meynell, with a rather forced laugh. "I'd forgive you that. But now, look here." The two heads drew together again, and Meynell resumed conversation, talking rapidly, in a kind, persuasive voice, putting the common sense of the situation--holding out distant hopes. The young man's face gradually cleared. He was of a docile, open temper, and deeply attached to his mentor. At last the Rector sprang up, consulting his watch. "I must send you off, and go to sleep. But we'll talk of this again."