"This afternoon, while you were out calling on the Trevertons."
"Was the old fool much cut up about it?" inquired Mrs. Arnold, inelegantly.
"He would not take no for an answer," said Felise. "He wanted her to take time to think of all the advantages he offered her, and he is coming in a week to hear her decision."
"The silly old dotard!" ejaculated her mother. "Well, all he can get by his persistence is a second refusal."
Felise Herbert straightened herself in her chair, and looked at her mother with a strange smile on her face.
"I do not intend that he shall get a second refusal!" she said, in a low voice that was very firm and incisive.
Mrs. Arnold stared at her daughter in blank surprise and incredulity.
"Why, Felise, what can you mean?" she inquired.
"I mean that Bonnibel Vere shall marry Colonel Carlyle!" her daughter answered, in the same low, determined voice.
"Why, my dear, you know it cannot be when she already has a husband! Besides, I did not know that you wanted them to marry. I thought—I thought—" said Mrs. Arnold, stopping short because surprise had overpowered her.