She withdrew her head with a certain dignity. Notwithstanding her softness and tenderness, there were occasions--even with those she loved best--when Lady Constance could delicately mark her displeasure. "I think you are a little embittered, Shotover," she asserted. He leaned back, still smiling, and shaking his head at her. "Old and wise--unpleasantly old, and not quite such a fool as I used to be, that's all," he answered. For a time there was silence, both brother and sister thinking their own thoughts. Then the latter spoke. Like many gentle persons, she was persistent. She always had been so. "I should be so grateful if you would tell me, because I think I ought to know, and then I should try to turn the course of darling Kathleen's affections before it all becomes too pronounced. Is there any entanglement, anything amounting to what one calls an impediment, in--well--you understand--against Alaric Barking?" Lord Fallowfeild got up, took a turn across the room, came back, and stood in front of her. "I wish you wouldn't, Con," he said. "Upon my soul, I wish you wouldn't. It's a nasty thing for an old man, who has gone the pace in his day pretty thoroughly, to give away a lad who may have made a slip just at the start, and who is doing his best to get his feet again and run straight. Alaric Barking's a good fellow. I like him. I never have been and never shall be partial to that family. Your sister Louisa cried up their virtues and their confounded solvency, in the old days, till she made them a positive nuisance. She's not a happy way of inculcating a moral economic lesson, hasn't Louisa. But I own I'm fond of this boy. He's far the best of the whole lot--gentlemanlike, and a sportsman, and good-looking--unusually so for one of that family--and, my dear, he's downright honestly in love with Kathleen. I've watched him--did so when he was down at Ranelagh one day last month with her and Victoria Sokeington--and I know the real thing when I see it." "But--but, I am afraid, Shotover, you mean me to understand there is some impediment?" Lady Constance repeated. "Oh! well, hang it all, I'm awfully sorry, but if you are determined to have it, Connie, perhaps there is. Only for heaven's sake don't be in too much of a hurry. Between ourselves, I happen to know the boy's doing his best to shake himself free in an honourable manner. So don't rush the business. Like the dear tender-hearted creature you are, have a little mercy on the poor beggar. Let the whole affair drift a little. It may straighten out." Lady Constance meditated for a minute or so. "It's very dreadful that there should be any impediment," she said. "I'll back Alaric to agree with you there," Lord Fallowfeild answered. "You'll do what you can, Shotover, won't you, to help Kathleen? I never forget how you helped me once!" Lord Fallowfeild's handsome face expressed rather broad amusement. "I'm afraid the two cases are hardly parallel, my dear," he said. CHAPTER X