stalking into
the room but Dad,--dear, unsuspecting Dad. When he saw Mrs. Porter
he immediately jumped at a whole row of conclusions.

"Well, well well!" he said. "This is a sight that does me good. I'm
very glad indeed to see you, Mrs. Porter. Your son has had an idea
that you were opposed to meeting Elizabeth; but I knew he couldn't
be right. And here you are; calling on her? Well, well, well!
Elizabeth, haven't you any tea to offer Blakely's mother!"

"Mrs. Porter was just leaving," I managed to say. "She has been here
some time."

Dad beamed on us both.

"I told Blakely, Elizabeth couldn't marry him until you consented,"
he blundered on, "but now I suppose it is all arranged. These
children of ours are wonderfully impatient. I'm as fond of Blakely
as if he were my own son, and you'll feel the same about Elizabeth
when you've known her longer."

"Don't let Dad keep you, Mrs. Porter," I said. "I'm sure you have
many things to attend to."

Blakely's mother who had been standing like one in a dream, now woke
up.

"Yes," she said, "I must be going. I called informally on Elizabeth
to beg you both to come to my dinner to-night."

"I told her we couldn't possibly come," I began. "Nonsense! Of
course we can come," Dad declared. "It will quite upset Blakely if
you don't come, and I shall be so disappointed."

"There, there," said Dad, "you're not going to disappoint Blakely's
mother by refusing."

"No," I replied. "If Mrs. Porter really wants us we shall be
delighted to come."

"If either of you fails me it will make me most unhappy," she said,
and there was a note of sincerity, in her voice that was
unmistakable.

"Thank you," I murmured. "We shall not fail you."

Chapter Ten

When Blakely returned with the grand duke, he came straight to me.
What he expected was an explanation; what he actually received was
the worst scolding of his life. But the poor boy was so apologetic
and so humble, I finally relented, and kissed him, and told him all
about his mother's call, and its surprising consequences.

"I suppose I should be grateful," I said, "but the idea of going to
the ducal dinner fills me with rage."

"Let's be ill, and dine together."

"I can't, I've given my word. And then there's Dad; he feels now
that all the prophecies he has uttered in regard to your mother have
at last come true. It's only my wicked pride that's talking, dear.
Please don't pay any attention to it."

And then Blake