"Something you have had to do with, dear old uncle. My wedding-day is fixed."
Uncle Jasper chuckled.
"Ah! my dear," he said, "there's nothing like having the day clear in one's head. And when is it to be, my pretty lass?"
"The twentieth of June, Uncle Jasper. Just four months from to-day."
"Four months off!" repeated Uncle Jasper. "Well, I don't call that very close at hand. When I spoke to your father last night—for you know I did speak to him, Charlotte—he seemed quite inclined to put no obstacle in the way of your speedy marriage."
"Nor did he, Uncle Jasper. You don't understand. He said we might marry at once if we liked. It was I who said the twentieth of June."
"You, child!—and—and did Hinton, knowing your father had withdrawn all opposition, did Hinton allow you to put off his happiness for four whole months?"
"It was my own choice," said Charlotte. "Four months do not seem to me too long to prepare."
"They would seem a very long time to me if I were the man who was to marry you, my dear."
Charlotte looked grave at this. Her uncle seemed to impute blame to her lover. Being absolutely certain of his devotion, she scorned to defend it. She rose from the table.