"It's impossible," said Joan quickly, "from every point of view. Do you know what my brother has done? I'm proud of Falk and love him; but you're Lord St. Leath, and Falk has married the daughter of Hogg, the man who keeps a public-house down in Seatown." "I heard of that," said Johnny. "But what does that matter? Do you know what I did last year? I crossed the Atlantic as a stoker in a Cunard boat. Mother never knew until I got back, and _wasn't_ she furious! But the world's changing. There isn't going to be any class difference soon--none at all. You take my word. Look at the Americans! They're the people! We'll be like them one day.... But what's all this?" he suddenly said. "I'm going to marry you and you're going to marry me. You love me, don't you?" "Yes," said Joan faintly. "Well, then. I knew you did. I'm going to kiss you." He put his arms around her and kissed her very gently. "Oh, how I love you!" he said, "and how good I'll be to you!" "But we must be practical," said Joan wildly. "How can we marry? Everything's against it. I've no money. I'm nobody. Your mother----" "Now you just leave my mother alone. Leave me to manage her--I know all about that----" "I won't be engaged to you," Joan said firmly, "not for ages and ages--not for a year anyway." "That's all right," said Johnny indifferently. "You can settle it any way you please--but no one's going to marry you but me, and no one's going to marry me but you." He would have kissed her again, but Mrs. Preston and a young man came in. "Now you shall come and speak to my mother," he said to her as they went out. "There's nothing to be afraid of. Just say 'Bo' to her as you would to a goose, and she'll answer all right." "You won't say anything----" began Joan. "About us? All right. That's a secret for the present; but we shall meet _every_ day, and if there's a day we don't meet you've got to write. Do you agree?" Whether she agreed or no was uncertain, because they were now in a cloud of people, and, a moment later, were face to face with the old Countess. She was pleased, it at once appeared. She was in a gracious mood; people had been pleasant enough--that is, they had been obsequious and flattering. Also her digestion was behaving properly; those new pills that old Puddifoot had given her were excellent. She therefore received Joan very graciously, congratulated her on her appearance, and asked her where her elder sister was. When Joan explained that she had no sister Lady St. Leath appeared vexed with her, as though it had been a piece of obvious impertinence on her part not to produce a sister instantly when she had asked for one. However, Lady Mary was kind and friendly and made Joan sit beside her for a little. Joan thought, "I'd like to have you for a sister one day, if--if--ever----" and allowed her thoughts to go no farther.