"Has it anything to do with Mr. Thain?" "It was Mr. Thain who placed the matter before me," he assented. "And Mr. Wadham doesn't approve?" "You really are a most intelligent young person," her father declared, smiling. "Mr. Wadham's disapproval, however, does not disturb me." Letitia was conscious of a curious uneasiness. "Are you quite sure that Mr. Thain is an honest man, father?" she asked. The Marquis's eyebrows were slightly elevated. "My dear!" he said reprovingly. "Mr. Thain's position as a financier is, I believe, beyond all question. Your aunt, who, you will remember, first brought him to us, spoke of his reputation in the States as being entirely unexceptionable." "After all, aunt only met him on the steamer," Letitia observed. "Consider further," the Marquis continued, "that he has taken Broomleys and will therefore be a neighbour of ours for some time. Do you think that he would have done this with the knowledge in his mind he had involved me in a transaction which was destined to have an unfortunate conclusion?" Letitia was silent. Her fine forehead was clouded by a little perplexed frown. The problem of David Thain was not so easily solved. Then the Duchess called to them from her car and beckoned Letitia to her side. "I have heard rumours, Letitia," she whispered. Letitia nodded. "I was coming round to see you, aunt," she replied. "We are not going to announce it until a little later on." The Duchess smiled her approbation. "I am delighted," she declared. "You are so difficult, Letitia, and there are so many girls about just now, trying to get hold of our young men. Some one was telling me only last night of an American girl--or was she South American; I don't remember--with millions and millions, who almost followed Charlie about. Of course, that sort of thing is being done, but it hasn't happened in our family yet. Dear people, both of you! When are you going to Mandeleys?" "We have just decided," the Marquis told her, "to shorten our stay in London. Letitia's engagements are capable of curtailment, and my own are of no account. We are thinking of going at once." "And your neighbour," the Duchess enquired; "when is he going into residence?" "I have not heard." "I am expecting him to come to Scotland later on," she observed. The Marquis was gently surprised. "Won't he be just a little--" "Not at all," the Duchess interrupted. "He shoots and fishes, and does everything other men do. I am not quite sure," she went on, "that you thoroughly appreciate Mr. Thain." "My dear Caroline, you are entirely mistaken," the Marquis assured her. "What Letitia's sentiments with regard to him may be, I do not know, but so far as I am concerned, I consider him a most desirable acquisition to my acquaintances." "If only I had your manner!" she said earnestly. "Poor Mr. Thain!" With a little nod she drove off. The Marquis and Letitia continued their promenade.