and white flowers that I was dreading with all
my heart!"

Something in his tone--a hint of dreary disappointment, of a
wretchedness hitherto well concealed, made Barry feel compunction for
his own rough handling of what must have been in reality a sore subject;
and quite suddenly he abandoned his own superior, not to say
condemnatory, attitude for a more human, more sympathetic frame of mind.

"I say, old chap"--Owen's eyes lightened with pleasure at the friendly
tone--"I've been an awful beast all this time. The fact is, I've thought
only of the girl's point of view. It didn't seem fair she should be used
as a sort of tool to make your position easier; but after all, I believe
on my soul she'd ask nothing better than to marry you; and I know you'd
treat her decently, so--so if----"

"If I like to do it, you'll give me your blessing, eh, Barry?" Owen's
smile was a little melancholy. "Well, I'll take advantage of your
permission and put it to the little girl herself. She may refuse me, of
course--Miss Rees didn't find me irresistible, did she?" A hint of the
deadly wound she had dealt him coloured his tone. "But unless I'm a
conceited fool I believe I have a sporting chance at least--and I'd like
to show Lady Saxonby she's not the only woman in the world for me!"

At that moment Toni herself entered the room; and with an effort both
men greeted her as usual, and proceeded to the ordinary routine of the
day's work without giving her any indication that she had interrupted a
discussion of the highest importance to herself.

CHAPTER VII

Antonia had just returned from lunch on the following day when Owen
called her to him; and she hastened to obey the summons, still wearing
her hat and coat.

"Oh, Miss Gibbs"--his tone was admirably casual. "I've been wondering
whether you would mind helping me this afternoon. I want some books from
my house down at Willowhurst to verify some quotations in an article I
am writing for the next number of the _Bridge_."

"Yes, Mr. Rose?"

"I intended first going down in the car for them, but as it seems a pity
to bring a lot of old books up to town, I thought if you would come down
too, bringing the little Blick typewriter with you, I could get you to
copy out the quotations I want, and I needn't take the books away."

Insensibly Toni's eyes brightened.

"Yes, Mr. Rose. I should be very pleased."

"That's right. Well, I'll go out and get some lunch. Will you be ready
i