It was not for a moment or two that I took in the drift of her remark, and she laughed again, this time more heartily, at my perplexed expression. I think she was pleased to see my entire absence of self-consciousness. But when her meaning became clear to me, and I turned it over in my mind after we got home, I felt a little surprised. What could she have got into her head to cause any allusion of the kind? I could not make it out. The next day brought some enlightenment, and not of a pleasant kind. Certainly, if the Fates had destined me to interference for good in the affairs of the Grey family, it was not to be without annoyance and discomfort to myself! In answer to my letter to him, I heard from Clarence Payne that he had arranged to call to see me on Thursday morning. It was of course necessary to mention this to my hostess, but in my real interest, and engrossment to a certain extent, in the matter, I made the little communication with perfect freedom from embarrassment, and I was really startled at my godmother's unmistakable surprise and disapproval. "My dear child," she exclaimed, "what are you thinking of, or what is this young man thinking of? It is an extraordinary thing to do!" I stood silent for a moment, realising that on the face of it the proceeding _was_ somewhat unconventional. But it would not be fair to let any blame for this rest on Clarence Payne. "I am very sorry," I said, my colour rising, "but it is not anybody's fault but my own, if fault there is. I wrote to ask Mr Payne to come. It is entirely a matter of business--I would like to tell you all about it, but I don't think I can. It depends on a letter I have had from father, and I am expecting another to-morrow morning, which I hope I shall be able to show you at least part of, in explanation of what I have done." But Lady Bretton, good as she was, was not perfect. She was irritated at the whole episode, and therefore not quite reasonable. "I can scarcely think," she said, "that your father can have realised what he was putting upon you. If so, he should have written to me direct. Why, the very servants will gossip about it, and no wonder, as of course, from what you say, _I_ am not to make a third at the interview." It was all I could do not to begin to cry, but I controlled myself as a new and, I thought, happy idea struck me. "I have been very thoughtless, I'm afraid," I said penitently, "but if you understood the whole thing, and before long I hope I may be able to tell you about it, I _don't_ think you would be vexed with me." I stopped short, forgetting that I had not introduced my new project. "What is to be done?" said my godmother, still rather coldly. "Oh!" I exclaimed, "I was just going to tell you what I think I can do. I will write to Clar--to the younger Mr Payne, I mean, and ask him to beg his father to come with him. _That_ would put it all right, would it not?"