“No. He threatened to do it, and went so far as to make his solicitor write to that effect to Marmaduke, who had the consummate impudence to reply that he should in that case be compelled to provide for himself by contracting a marriage of which he could not expect his family to approve. Still, he added, if the family chose to sever their connexion with him, they could not expect him to consult their feelings in his future disposal of himself. In plain English, he threatened to marry this woman if his income was cut off. He carried his point, too; for no alteration has been made in his allowance. Indeed, as he has money of his own, and as part of the property is entailed, it would be easier to irritate him uselessly than to subject him to any material deprivation.” “The young scamp! I wonder he was clever enough to take advantage like that.” “He has shewn no lack of acuteness of late. I suspect he is under shrewd guidance.” “Have you ever seen the—the guidance?” “Not in person. I seldom enter a theatre now. But I am of course familiar with her appearance from the photographic portraits of her. They are in all the shop windows.” “Yes. I think I have noticed them.” “And now, Mrs. Douglas, I fear I have paid you a very long visit.” “Why dont you come oftener?” “I wish I could find time. I have not so much leisure for enjoyment as I used.” “I am not so sure of that. But we are always glad to have a chat with one another, I know. We are agreed about the dear children, I think?” “Cordially. Cordially. Good-bye.” “Good-bye.” CHAPTER VIII On the morning of the first Friday in May Marian received this letter: “Uxbridge Road, Holland Park, W. “DEAR MISS LIND: I must begin by explaining why I make this communication to you by letter instead of orally. It is because I am about to ask you to do me a favor. If you asked me to do anything for you, then, no matter how much my judgment might protest against my compliance, I could not without pain to myself refuse you face to face. I have no right to assume that your heart would plead on my behalf against your head in this fashion; but, on the other hand—the wish is father to the thought here—I have no right to assume that it would not. Therefore, to spare you all influences except the fair ones of your own interest and inclination, I make my proposal in writing. You will please put the usual construction on the word ‘proposal.’ What I desire is your consent to marry me. If your first impulse now is to refuse, I beg you to do so in plain terms at once, and destroy this letter without reading further. If you think, on the contrary, that we could achieve a future as pleasant as our past association has been—to me at least, here is what, as I think, you have to consider.