"It's strange," said Vernon, musingly, with his eyes on Hest. "What is, if I may ask?" "The life you mention would suit your nature rather than hers, I should think, considering what I have seen of both of you. You are not so serious as Miss Hest, so far as I can judge." Hest laughed. "Well, you see, Frances takes her pleasures seriously and in a very ponderous manner. I take my work lightly and as a hobby. That is all the difference, save that I am sure I get more amusement out of life than she does. Wait till you hear us argue." "You are stopping in town long?" "Only for a few days. I may go to Paris or I may return to Gerby Hall. It all depends upon Miss Dimsdale." Vernon looked surprised. "On Miss Dimsdale? In what way?" "Well," Hest hesitated, "it's rather a private matter to----" "Oh, I beg your pardon." "Not at all. You know Frances and Miss Dimsdale so very well that I don't mind telling you. The fact is my sister thinks that I ought to be married at my age--I shan't tell you how old I am because that would give away Frances, who, like all women, doesn't want her age to be known. But the long and short of it is that she wants me to marry Miss Dimsdale. I saw very plainly that Miss Dimsdale didn't want to marry me, so I ran away." This explanation appeared to be clear enough, and Vernon drew a long breath of relief. Ida had been right; Frances had wished her brother to marry the girl and secure the fortune. Now that Francis declined to entertain the idea Miss Hest had invited Maunders down to try his luck. But Vernon could not see what interest the former could have in bringing about the marriage with the latter. He lifted his eyes from the carpet to again address his companion, but found that Mr. Hest had slipped away to talk to an old lady with an ear-trumpet. "You might speak to _me_," hinted a low voice at his ear, and he turned to smile at Lucy's injured face. "You are so busy." "There is a lull now in the tea-drinking. Why haven't you been to see me lately, Arthur?" "I have been very busy, also I have been out of town." "You should be with me--always," pouted Miss Corsoon. "What would your mother say to that?" he asked, smiling broadly. "She would be annoyed," returned Lucy promptly. Vernon started. "Surely you are mistaken," he said anxiously, stopping to almost whisper in her ear. "Your mother gave her consent, and when I was last here she said in your presence that she did not mind my----" Lucy interrupted with a flush. "I think she has another opinion now. For some time she appeared to be pleased that we should marry, but the day before yesterday she hinted that there might be obstacles." "Ah, your father?" "No. Mother can manage father in any way not connected with money. Mother has changed her mind on her own account." "But for what reason?" asked Vernon, much perplexed.