Poor Ruth is consistent in one thing: she never shews any instinct for _arranging_ or _managing_. It is perhaps not to be expected that she should take to it by the light of nature, but one would have thought that the first ambition of any woman who had been transported from one _milieu_ to another would have been to _learn_... She is in a position of authority... When they had all separated to their rooms, I once more set out... Will, I think, had guessed; and I have never seen any one more delighted. "_I_ knew the fellow would turn up," he said, "but I couldn't make poor little Phyl see it. I suppose she thought he _must_ have killed himself on the road. Just as well he didn't, because I believe she's quite fond of him. I should think they'd get on quite well together, though of course she's not everybody's money." I explained to him that every one had gone to bed, but here he was _quite_ immovable. "I want to be the first to congratulate them," he said. Which I thought was _handsome_, when you remember how Phyllida threw herself at his head. They are to be married as soon as Hilary's company has been formed. He is very anxious that Arthur should join the board, but I am not sure that it is wise to undertake _too_ many enterprises. One is always reluctant to refuse what is really a tempting offer--on a small scale--, but there _are_ only twenty-four hours in the day... One quite rubs one's eyes when the younger generation knocks at the door in this way. How old would you say Phyllida was? Twenty-two, I assure you; and I know what I am talking about. It will be my boy's turn next, I suppose; he is nearly thirty-one. And, though I do not want to lose him, I shall not be sorry to see him _safely_ married. I hope that Phyllida will make a success of her life. I have every reason to think she will, but I refuse to accept any responsibility for guiding young people to their affinities. After one irrational period in which I was the wicked stepmother, I suddenly find myself regarded as the good fairy... It is really too ridiculous... Oh, I think you can congratulate them at once. They are to be "Morning-Posted", as Will would say, to-morrow... XII LADY ANN SPENWORTH DEFENDS HER CONSISTENCY _Lady Ann_ (_to a friend of proved discretion_): Consistency?