"We could alter it," interrupted Bent. He was watching Cotherstone closely, and fancying that he saw a strained and eager look in his face, he decided that Cotherstone was keeping something back, and had not told them the full truth about his health.
"It's all a matter of arrangement. I could arrange to go away during the winter, Lettie."
"But I don't want to travel in winter," objected Lettie. "Besides—I've made all my arrangements about my gowns and things."
"That can be arranged, too," said Bent. "The dressmaker can work overtime."
"That'll mean that everything will be hurried—and spoiled," replied Lettie. "Besides, I've arranged everything with my bridesmaids. They can't be expected to——"
"We can do without bridesmaids," replied Bent, laying his hand on Lettie's arm. "If your father really feels that he's got to have the rest and the change he spoke of, and wants us to be married first, why, then——"
"But there's nothing to prevent you having a rest and a change now, father," said Lettie. "Why not? I don't like my arrangements to be altered—I had planned everything out so carefully. When we did fix on next spring, Windle, I had only just time as it was!"
"Pooh!" said Bent. "We could get married the day after tomorrow if we wanted! Bridesmaids—gowns—all that sort of tomfoolery, what does it matter?"
"It isn't tomfoolery," retorted Lettie. "If I am to be married I should like to be married properly."
She got up, with a heightened colour and a little toss of her head, and left the room, and the two men looked at each other.