“Well, no, we couldn’t, of course.”

A pause followed. Then Charlie observed: “I suppose there’s nothing to be done.”

“Nothing to be done, Mr. Ellerton! Why if I were a man I’d leave for England tonight.”

“And why can’t you?”

“Papa won’t. But you might.”

“Ye—es, I suppose I might. It would look rather odd, wouldn’t it?”

“Why, you yourself suggested it!”

“Yes, but the marriage was a long way off then.”

“There’s the more reason now for haste.”

“Of course, that’s true, but——.”