ur own mistress, my dear. But surely it would be
better if Mr. Everard would consult with his solicitor or his father's
agent, or some of his gentlemen friends, rather than with a young lady
whose relations with him, after all, are only those of a neighbour on
visiting terms. For my own part, I should have thought that Mr.
Everard's best course would have been to consult his own father! But the
things that gentlemen, as well as ladies do, have been sadly changed
since my time!' Then, rising in formal dignity, she bowed gravely to the
visitor before leaving the room.

But the position of being left alone in the room with Leonard did not at
all suit Stephen's plans. Rising quickly she said to her aunt:

'Don't stir, Auntie. I dare say you are right in what you say; but I
promised Mr. Everard to go into the matter. And as I have brought the
awkwardness on myself, I suppose I must bear it. If Mr. Everard wants to
see me alone, and I suppose he is diffident in speaking on such a matter
before you--he didn't play with you, you know!--we can go out on the
lawn. We shan't be long!' Before Leonard could recover his wits she had
headed him out on the lawn.

Her strategy was again thoroughly good. The spot she chose, though
beyond earshot, was quite in the open and commanded by all the windows in
that side of the house. A person speaking there might say what he liked,
but his actions must be discreet.

On the lawn Stephen tripped ahead; Leonard followed inwardly raging. By
her clever use of the opening she had put him in a difficulty from which
there was no immediate means of extrication. He could not quarrel
overtly with Stephen; if he did so, how could he enter on the pressing
matter of his debts? He dared not openly proclaim his object in wishing
to marry her, for had he done so her aunt might have interfered, with
what success he could not be sure. In any case it would cause delay, and
delay was what he could not afford. He felt that in mentioning his debts
at just such a movement he had given Stephen the chance she had so aptly
taken. He had to be on his good behaviour, however; and with an
apprehension that was new to him he followed her.

An old Roman marble seat was placed at an angle from the house so that
the one of the two occupants within its curve must almost face the house,
whilst the other gave to it at least a quarter-face. Stephen seated
herself on the near side, leaving to Leonard the expos