"Italian cloth," repeated Jane firmly. "I hope to do the whole thing for about five pounds."
"Impossible!" said Nanty. "Fifteen would be mean and skimpy."
Jane set her mouth good-humouredly.
"Then I can't get married."
"No, you evidently can't," agreed Nanty. "It would be unfair to the man."
"It's a pity," observed Jane, "because I rather wanted to."
"A foolish desire on your part which should be checked at once."
Mother began to look worried. With a desire to cheer her up I casually inquired of Nanty if she had seen anything more of Professor Leighrail. I was unprepared for her dropping the patterns about like chaff in a wind.
"Professor Leighrail!" said mother, with widely-open eyes. "Anastasia's old lover?"
"Exactly," I replied. "He's a friend of ours, and Nanty met him here the other day. Have you seen him again?" I asked.