“I did think of such a thing,” I answered. “But after what you have said, dear Mrs. Macallan, I give up the idea, of course. It is not a great sacrifice--it only obliges me to wait a week for Major Fitz-David’s dinner-party. He has promised to ask Miserrimus Dexter to meet me.” “There is the Major all over!” cried the old lady. “If you pin your faith on that man, I pity you. He is as slippery as an eel. I suppose you asked him to introduce you to Dexter?” “Yes.” “Exactly! Dexter despises him, my dear. He knows as well as I do that Dexter won’t go to his dinner. And he takes that roundabout way of keeping you apart, instead of saying No to you plainly, like an honest man.” This was bad news. But I was, as usual, too obstinate to own myself defeated. “If the worst comes to the worst,” I said, “I can but write to Mr. Dexter, and beg him to grant me an interview.” “And go to him by yourself, if he does grant it?” inquired Mrs. Macallan. “Certainly. By myself.” “You really mean it?” “I do, indeed.” “I won’t allow you to go by yourself.” “May I venture to ask, ma’am how you propose to prevent me?” “By going with you, to be sure, you obstinate hussy! Yes, yes--I can be as headstrong as you are when I like. Mind! I don’t want to know what your plans are. I don’t want to be mixed up with your plans. My son is resigned to the Scotch Verdict. I am resigned to the Scotch Verdict. It is you who won’t let matters rest as they are. You are a vain and foolhardy young person. But, somehow, I have taken a liking to you, and I won’t let you go to Miserrimus Dexter by yourself. Put on your bonnet!” “Now?” I asked. “Certainly! My carriage is at the door. And the sooner it’s over the better I shall be pleased. Get ready--and be quick about it!” I required no second bidding. In ten minutes more we were on our way to Miserrimus Dexter. Such was the result of my mother-in-law’s visit! CHAPTER XXIV. MISERRIMUS DEXTER--FIRST VIEW. WE had dawdled over our luncheon before Mrs. Macallan arrived at Benjamin’s cottage. The ensuing conversation between the old lady and myself (of which I have only presented a brief abstract) lasted until quite late in the afternoon. The sun was setting in heavy clouds when we got into the carriage, and the autumn twilight began to fall around us while we were still on the road. The direction in which we drove took us (as well as I could judge) toward the great northern suburb of London.