Jarvis came in noiselessly and was despatched by Mrs. Chichester to bring her niece to her.
Hawkes was moving restlessly about the room. He stopped in front of Mrs. Chichester as Jarvis disappeared.
"I am afraid, madam, that such a marriage would be out of the question."
"What do you mean?" demanded the old lady. "As one of the executors of the late Mr. Kingsnorth's will, in my opinion, it would be defeating the object of the dead man's legacy."
Mrs. Chichester retorted, heatedly: "He desires her to be TRAINED. What training is better than MARRIAGE?"
"Almost any," replied Mr. Hawkes. "Marriage should be the union of two formed characters. Marriage between the young is one of my pet objections. It is a condition of life essentially for those who have reached maturity in nature and in character. I am preparing a paper on it for the Croydon Ethical Society and—"
Whatever else Mr. Hawkes might have said in continuation of another of his pet subjects was cut abruptly short by the appearance of Peg. She was still dressed in one of Mrs. Chichester's gifts. She had not had an opportunity to change into her little travelling suit.
Hawkes looked at her in delighted surprise. She had completely changed. What a metamorphosis from the forlorn little creature of a month ago! He took her by the hand and pressed it warmly, at the same time saying heartily:
"Well, well! WHAT an improvement."
Peg gazed at him with real pleasure. She was genuinely glad to see him. She returned the pressure of his hand and welcomed him: