"It is of far more importance than business," he replied, with a significance of tone that could not fail to convey some perception of his meaning. She paused awhile before she spoke again, and then seemed to have arrived at a decision. "I wish to say a word about your sister." "Dear Charlotte!" he murmured, and could not have said anything, nor uttered what he said in a tone that would have been more fatal to his cause, even if she were willing to listen to it favorably. He had been his own enemy, and had forged the weapon that was to strike him down; for it was Mrs. Grantham's insight into the life Charlotte must have led with him and her mother that had made her reflect upon the true nature of the man who had been for so many years her husband's friend and her own. The closer intimacy of the last few weeks had served him ill. Mrs. Grantham was a lady of much sweetness, but the trials she had passed through had taught her to observe and sometimes to suspect. "To-day is Charlotte's birthday," she said. "Charlotte's birthday!" he exclaimed. "How could we have overlooked it? Charlotte's birthday! Why so it is! I must wish her every happiness." He began to pick some flowers. "For Charlotte," he said. "She will appreciate them. I have grown very fond of your sister." "You could not say anything to make me happier--except----" She nipped his tenderly suggested exception in the bud by continuing: "She has the most amiable nature in the world--" "No, no," he protested; "not the _most_ amiable nature in the world." "And is so sweet-tempered and self-sacrificing--" "She shares the best qualities of our family," he managed to get in. "That I am as anxious for her happiness as you yourself can be. She has had two birthday presents, which have given her great pleasure, one especially." ("Confound her!" was Mr. Fox-Cordery's thought, as he bent over a dwarf rose tree. "Who has been making her birthday presents?") "I have given her a poor little brooch"--("That is one of the presents," thought Mr. Fox-Cordery, "and Clair has given her the other. Of course, of course." He was content that the gifts should have come from Mrs. Grantham and her little girl)--"and Mr. Dixon," continued Mrs. Grantham, "sent her an engagement ring." Mr. Fox-Cordery looked suddenly up. "Mr. Dixon!" he cried. "An engagement ring!" "Yes," said Mrs. Grantham, ignoring his surprise, "a very beautiful ring. It is set with diamonds, and Charlotte, you may depend, put it on her finger at once. She must never take it off, at least till she is married. We foolish women, you know, have superstitions." "Charlotte has been telling you a great deal about Mr. Dixon," said Mr. Fox-Cordery, striving to speak amiably, and not succeeding.