At last, after many days' abstinence, the junior partner smiled. It was not a very wide, nor in the least a merry smile; his cheeks bulged only slightly under its gentle pressure, and the satisfaction which smiles traditionally notify seemed savored with a squeeze or two of lemon. But it marked the beginning of a new coalition, an ominous disturbance of the balance of power. "That is exactly the point I have under consideration myself," he said. "The difficulty is, how is it to be managed?" She seated herself within twelve feet of him, and yet he did not shrink from her now with modest mistrust. "It seems to me perfectly obvious what we should do. Just offer him an alternative." "What alternative?" asked Andrew. * * * * * Meanwhile, Mr. Walkingshaw was spending one of the happiest evenings he remembered. There was indeed some slight constraint in the drawing-room so long as his sister remained there, but when, after a series of sighs which punctuated some twenty minutes' pointed silence, she at last bade them a depressed good-night, the three happy lovers gave rein to their hearts. Heriot gave the loosest rein of all. It almost seemed as if a lover set at liberty was even happier than a lover just engaged. He had that air of animated relief noticeable in the escaped victims of a conscientious dentist. As for his children, they adored him little less than they adored two other people who were not there. Yet once or twice Jean fell thoughtful. At last she said-- "I wonder whether we ought to go out to the Comyns' to-morrow after all?" "My dear girl, why not? You'll have a very pleasant time there; and anyhow, it's too late to write and tell them you aren't coming." "We could wire in the morning," she said. "Frank, do you think we ought to go?" He looked a little surprised, but answered readily, "Not if you don't want to." "But why not go?" their father repeated. She hesitated. "Are you quite sure Andrew and Madge won't--won't try to be unpleasant?" "Let them try if they like!" laughed Heriot. "But I assure you, my dear girl, I was so reasonable--so unanswerable, in fact--that they simply can't feel annoyed for more than a few hours. Hang it, they are very nice good people at heart. Just give 'em time to let the proper point of view sink in, and they'll be chirpy as sparrows again. Besides, what good could you do by staying at home? The Comyns have a nice place; you'll have a capital time. I insist on your going." "Very well, then," said Jean. Yet she could hardly picture Andrew and her cousin quite as chirpy as sparrows. And all this time, beneath the very floor of the room where they laughed, the plans of the coalition ripened. CHAPTER VI In the course of breakfast upon the following morning, Heriot startled his junior partner by announcing his intention of putting in a strenuous day's work at the office. Andrew exchanged a curious glance with Mrs. Dunbar, and then merely inquired--