on out of pique. A
strange foreboding came over me that all was not going well.

This was deepened when Marion came to me one day with her eyes red as
though she had been weeping.

'Is anything wrong?' I inquired, an instinctive fear gripping at my
heart. 'You surely haven't quarrelled with William?'

She shook her head. 'Can you imagine William quarrelling with any one?'

I could not. He is one of those comfortable people with whom you can
be perfectly frank and outspoken without fear of giving the slightest
offence. If I say to him when he is deep in a learned discussion with
Henry, 'Do shut up, William, I can't think when you're talking,' he
does not snort, glare at me, breathe hard or show any other signs of
inward resentment. He at once relapses into silence--an affable
silence, not the strained kind when the offended party takes deep
respirations through the nose--and I am allowed to think without
interruption. It is one of the reasons why I have never minded Henry
having him about the place at any time.

'Then if you and William haven't quarrelled, what is wrong?' I asked of
the drooping Marion.

'It's--it's about our wedding, Netta. He wants to know if I'll put it
off for another six months.'

I started. 'Why should he wish to do that now, with all arrangements
made?'

'I don't know. There isn't the slightest reason for delay. It isn't a
case of money, for you know he has a good private income, and I have my
own little income as well. Then, we are both old enough to know our
own minds--yet he says he thinks we ought to have more time for
reflection. What can it mean, Netta?'

I was silent for a moment, not liking to voice my uneasy thoughts.

'It isn't that I mind the extra six months' delay,' she went on, 'but I
don't like the idea of postponing the wedding. There is something
unlucky about it.'

'You're right--it is unlucky,' said the voice of Elizabeth, coming
unexpectedly into the discussion.

'Elizabeth,' I said sternly, 'do you mean to tell me you were
listening?'

She drew herself up with dignity. 'Me listenin'! I've too much to do
to go poking myself into other people's bizness. But I wos just comin'
in to ask wot you wanted for dinner----'

'I have already given orders for dinner, Elizabeth.'

'Well, I musta forgotten 'em. An' just as I was comin' in I 'eard Miss
Marryun talkin' about Mr. Roarings wantin' to put the weddin' orf.
Don't you let 'im do it, miss. I've