CHAPTER VI.
IN WHICH MISS ARMINSTER PROPOSES TO MARRY AGAIN.
Cecil and Miss Matilda breakfasted alone the next morning. This was not by intention, but by fate. Violet and the Bishop, for obvious reasons, kept their respective rooms. Mrs. Mackintosh had felt it her duty to breakfast with, and comfort, her friend in distress, likewise to receive an early account of the doings of the day before; while Smith and Spotts, hearing that the fugitives had returned, took an early breakfast and adjourned to the neighboring golf-links. Cecil, however, who slept well, came down at the usual hour, quite unconscious of what was impending, and calmly walked into the trap.
After the ancient butler had passed the tea and toast, and then withdrawn, as was his wont, leaving them to carve out their own salvation, Miss Matilda lost no time in opening up the contest. She had been at swords' points with her nephew ever since the evening before, as a result of his stoutly maintaining his father's innocence, and the manner in which she reported her midnight meeting would have made even Marchmont envious.
"And now of course he'll have to marry her," she wound up her recital.
"Good heavens! I hope not!" ejaculated Cecil.
"I'm glad," remarked his aunt stiffly, "that we've at least one point of agreement."
"Oh, we are quite agreed on that," he returned. "It would never do at all; in fact it's quite impossible."
"You know, then?" she demanded.