'I think a word in season will do you no harm,' answered his father, austerely, 'but I shall address myself to George first.'
'I am all attention, sir,' said the captain, rather weary of this solemnity. 'What have I done?'
'You have concealed from me the fact of your engagement to Miss Arden.'
'Oh!' cried George, smiling, 'so Miss Whichello has been speaking!'
'Yes, she spoke to me to-day, and told me that you had formally engaged yourself to her niece without my knowledge or sanction. May I inquire your reason for so singular a course?'
'Is it singular, sir?' asked George, in a half-joking tone. 'I always understood that it was first necessary to obtain the lady's consent before making the matter public. I asked Mab to be my wife when I last visited Beorminster, and I intended to tell you of it this time, but I find that Miss Whichello has saved me the trouble. However, now that you know the truth, sir,' said Captain Pendle, with his sunny smile, 'may I ask for your approval and blessing?'
'You may ask,' said the bishop, coldly, 'but you shall have neither.'
'Father!' The answer was so unexpected that George jumped up from his chair with a cry of surprise, and even Gabriel, who was in the secret of his brother's love for Mab, looked astonished and pained.
'I do not approve of the engagement,' went on the bishop, imperturbably.
'You—do—not—approve—of—Mab!' said Captain Pendle, slowly, and his face became pale with anger.