"I shall take about five minutes of your society first," he returned, smiling and patting her cheek. "I have something to tell you; something that will, perhaps, be a little surprise to you."
"Nothing bad, I hope, father?"
"No, not exactly bad—though I must own it is something of a trial to me. Your sister Grace has followed your bad example, and given the first place in her heart to another; my consent has been asked, given, and they are engaged, though not to marry for the next five years."
"Father!" exclaimed Lucilla, in a tone of utter astonishment, "to whom? Chester's brother Frank?"
"What a guess!" laughed her father. "No; try again."
She reflected a moment, then—"It can't be Uncle Harold?" she ventured, in a tone that seemed to say that that was hardly possible. "He is surely much too old for her."
"Unfortunately I cannot make that objection, since there is some years' less difference in their ages than in your Mamma Vi's and mine."
"Oh, papa! and are they really lovers, and engaged?"
"Yes; though such a match is very distasteful to me—simply on account of the mixed-up relationship that their marriage would bring about; but when I found the fancy and affection were mutual, I could not withhold my consent."