"Your affectionate son, BLAKELY PORTER."
"P. S. Please do not think that Miss Middleton has any knowledge of this plan. She has not."
"P. S. Remember! We leave Ventura for Los Angeles at 4:50 p.m. sharp."
"Mrs. Porter," I said when I had finished reading the letter, "I am deeply humiliated that Blakely should have done this."
"Still, I suppose you would marry him if I gave my consent."
"I would not," I replied hotly. "I might marry him without your consent, for I love him dearly; but I would never consider you had given your consent if it were forced from you by trickery."
"You wouldn't?"
"I would not."
"But if he doesn't bring the duke back my dinner will be ruined."
"I will telegraph him myself," I said.