idn't. Of course he was very--I mean, I knew--we both
understood, but Geoffrey says he couldn't possibly have spoken plainly
while I was a guest under his own roof. It wouldn't have been the right
thing. He was obliged to wait till I got home!"

"My! how mediaeval. I should have thought Geoffrey Greville had more
snap to him, than to hang on to such worn-out notions. Fancy letting
you go away, and driving down in cold blood next morning! It's the
dullest thing!"

"It's not dull at all!" contradicted Elma, hotly. "It's noble, and
manly, and self-sacrificing. I love him for it--

"`I could not love thee, dear, so much
Loved I not honour more!'"

"Shucks!" sniffed Cornelia, scornfully. "I'd as lief have a little less
high-falutin', and a lot more push. I wouldn't mind if it was his house
ten times over, I'd want him to feel he couldn't wait another five
minutes, and settle it off, so's we could have a good time together. If
he let me come away, not knowing if he were in fun or earnest, I'd have
led him a pretty dance for his pains. But you're so meek; I bet you
dropped into his mouth like a ripe plum!"

Elma drew herself up with a charming dignity.

"I told him the truth without any pretences, if that is what you mean,"
she said quietly. "I am perfectly satisfied with Geoffrey's behaviour,
and I'd rather not discuss it, Cornelia, please. We may seem old-
fashioned to you, but we understand each other, and there is not a
thing--not a single thing--I would wish altered. I am perfectly,
utterly happy!"

"Bless you, you sweet thing, I see you are, and I'm happy for you!
Never mind how it happened; it _has_ happened, and that's good enough.
... How's Mrs Ramsden bearing up?"

Elma's face fell. For a person who had just proclaimed herself
completely happy, she looked astonishingly worried and perturbed.

"Oh, my dear, such a scene! I took Geoffrey in to see her, and she
couldn't have been more horrified if he had been the most desperate
character in the world. She refused to listen to a word. You would not
have recognised mother, she was so haughty and distant, and--rude! Some
things she said were horribly rude. After he went, she cried! That was
the worst of all. She cried, and said she had given her whole life for
me for twenty-three years, and was I going to break her heart as a
reward? I cried, too, and said, No, I should love her more, not less,
but she wouldn't listen. She said if I