place everyday life. If they'd a little more
sound common sense, and a little less of the noble and lofty soul
spirit, they would perceive they will only do more harm than good by
going against nature and trying to force inclinations. But the absurd
thing is, that neither has yet had the perspicacity to perceive the
other's unwilling frame of mind. That exactly bears out my point.
These heroic attitudes do not suit the exigencies of everyday life. If
they weren't both so bent on doing the noble thing, they would
perceive they are merely making fools of themselves, and incidentally
straining my powers of resource beyond all reason. Of course it can't
go on; but what in the name of all that's wonderful can I do to stop
it?... Send for The Bear, and compel him to make the best of the awful
fact that Meryl possesses a fortune, and console dear Dutch Willie
myself, I suppose!..." And she smiled grimly. Then her face softened,
and tears unexpectedly gleamed in her eyes. She brushed them away,
apostrophising herself impatiently. Then she swallowed down a sob,
murmuring, "I can't bear the thought of Meryl, standing with that
smile on her lips and that expression in her eyes, to be fitted for
her wedding-dress. It makes one want to tear the whole world to
pieces, and sink South Africa in the nethermost ocean. No wonder uncle
shuts himself in his study so much nowadays. He must be just as hard
put to it as I am to know what to do." A step disturbed her
cogitations at that moment, and Aunt Emily came into view.

"Ah, my dear, I thought I saw you come down the garden. There is a
letter for you with a Rhodesian stamp. I thought you might like to
have it." And she handed it to her, at the same time sitting down on
the garden-seat beside her.

"Have you seen Meryl's dress," she enquired, with an expression that
had suddenly grown sentimental. "The dear child. To think of her in
her wedding-dress, so soon to be a bride!"

"Well, that's a commonplace enough event! Girls like Meryl usually do
become brides, and later on they wear shrouds, and have a nice little
coffin all to themselves. There really isn't very much difference!..."

"O, my dear!... What a dreadful remark to make! I am sure it is
unlucky to speak like that."

"Then I hope it will be unlucky enough to postpone the wedding
indefinitely."

Aunt Emily turned and looked at her niece as if she thought she had
taken leave of her senses, but that was not by any means a new