ther yet from the respectable suburb of Muswell
Hill. A room in the house could be nominally engaged for Natalie, in the
assumed character of the stewardess's niece--the stewardess undertaking
to answer any purely formal questions which might be put by the church
authorities, and to be present at the marriage ceremony. As for Launce,
he would actually, as well as nominally, live in the district close by;
and the steward, if needful, would answer for _him_. Natalie might call
at her parochial residence occasionally, under the wing of Lady Winwood;
gaining leave of absence from Muswell Hill, on the plea of paying one of
her customary visits at her aunt's house. The conspiracy, in brief, was
arranged in all its details. Nothing was now wanting but the consent of
the young lady; obtaining which, Launce would go to the parish church
and give the necessary notice of a marriage by banns on the next day.
There was the plot. What did the ladies think of it?

Lady Winwood thought it perfect.

Natalie was not so easily satisfied.

"My father has always been so kind to me!" she said. "The one thing
I can't get over, Launce, is distressing papa. If he had been hard on
me--as some fathers are--I shouldn't mind." She suddenly brightened, as
if she saw her position in a new light. "Why should you hurry me?" she
asked. "I am going to dine at my aunt's to-day, and you are coming in
the evening. Give me time! Wait till to-night."

Launce instantly entered his protest against wasting a moment longer.
Lady Winwood opened her lips to support him. They were both silenced at
the same moment by the appearance of one of Mrs. Sancroft's servants,
opening the gate of the square.

Lady Winwood went forward to meet the man. A suspicion crossed her mind
that he might be bringing bad news.

"What do you want?" she asked.

"I beg your pardon, my lady--the housekeeper said you were walking here
with Miss Graybrooke. A telegram for Miss Graybrooke."

Lady Winwood took the telegram from the man's hand; dismissed him, and
went back with it to Natalie. Natalie opened it nervously. She read
the message--and instantly changed. Her cheeks flushed deep; her eyes
flashed with indignation. "Even papa can be hard on me, it seems, when
Richard asks him!" she exclaimed. She handed the telegram to Launce. Her
eyes suddenly filled with tears. "_You_ love me," she said, gently--and
stopped. "Marry me!" she added, with a sudden burst of resolution. "I'll
risk i