"Now," said Mr Timmins, "I will say goodbye to you both. Lady Marian has something to say to you, and if you want to see me later on in the day, you have but to telephone, and I will be with you. But I think Lady Marian would rather see you by herself." "Come, Flo, come," said Brenda. "Oh, she is such a darling; you will love her soon as much as I do." The girls both entered the pretty boudoir where old Lady Marian Dixie was waiting for them. She drew Brenda close to her and kissed her. Then she looked at Florence. "Why, I have heard all about that young man," she said, "and the week is up; it was up yesterday. Is everything settled? Are you engaged to him? He has stood the test, has he?" Poor Florence! The tears trembled in her eyes. "No," she said, "no. Oh, tell her, Brenda, tell her. I can't, I can't!" Florence walked to the window and looked out. Brenda said something in a low tone to Lady Marian. After a very short time Florence came back. Her cheeks were bright, and so were her eyes. "I wouldn't have him now," she said, "if--if he were to go on his knees to me--as the saying is. I wouldn't have him at any price. I don't suppose I really loved him." "It was a good thing you found it out in time," said Lady Marian. "And besides, Florence, you are a great deal too young to marry yet. Why, my dear good child, you are not half educated. Now, my plan for you both is this: that you should go to either Newnham or Girton in the autumn and take a proper course of training there; afterwards, we might go abroad for a bit. In these days, uneducated women are unbearable, and no girl of eighteen, however clever she is, can be properly educated. You can spend your holidays with me, and go and see the Arbuthnots sometimes if you like. But that must be as you please." "But--but," said Florence in amazement; "of course I'd adore to go to Girton; I have always had the greatest hankering for it. But we can't earn our living in that way." Lady Marian smiled. "You don't need to earn your living, my dear child," she said. "I don't need--Brenda and I don't need! What do you mean, Lady Marian?"