“My dear, I understand! I’m not a bit surprised, of course, at your news. Onlookers see most of the game, don’t they, love? Oh dear, and you’re so young! I had hoped— What are we going to do without you? Stephen Ramsay too, of all people! I don’t fancy that your father will make any objection. He’s such a charming young man, as I told his mother, and so well-connected. Darling, really I don’t know whether I’m on my head or my heels! If only your poor dear mother were alive, how proud she would be! She’d understand what I’m feeling, too. It seems only yesterday that you were playing with your doll.”

Then Lawrence came bustling in with Stephen behind him, and, pouncing upon his daughter, kissed her, twice.

“Well, well, well! So my little girl wants to be married, does she? And a very obstinate, pushing husband you’ll have, my dear! I have been forced—yes, forced at the sword’s point so to speak—to give my consent to an early marriage. Many, many congratulations, Elizabeth, but more to Stephen. You little know what a treasure you are going to possess, young man.”

“I do know, sir, none better,” Stephen said promptly.

Lawrence heaved a great sigh.

“Not as I, her father, know. It’s going to be a great gap in our lives, eh, Anne?”

“I can’t bear to think of it,” she answered. “But I do congratulate you, both. And I do hope you aren’t going to force Elizabeth into too early a marriage, Stephen.”

“I couldn’t force her into anything, Miss Arden,” he replied, smiling. “But I’m impatient. Can you wonder?”

“No, oh no, but there’s so much to be thought of, and so much to be done.”

“Long engagements,” said Lawrence unexpectedly, “are a mistake. We’ll discuss all that at some future date. Meanwhile, Stephen tells me he has promised to be at his mother’s flat by half-past six.”

“A dinner-party,” Stephen explained, grimacing. “If it wasn’t the mater’s party—”

“Oh, but of course you must go!” Elizabeth said quickly. She was anxious to put an end to this trying scene, and stepped forward to his side. “I’ll come and see you off.”

Outside, in the hall, he put his arms about her and kissed her eyelids.

“If you only knew how often I’ve longed to do that!” he murmured. “Your father was a brick, Elizabeth. Don’t let them persuade you into putting off the wedding! Let it be soon, sweetheart, I can’t wait!”

“Not too soon!” she begged. “You don’t understand, Stephen, I must have time. I—I’ve got to get used to the feel of being engaged first.”