"Did papa give Mr. Winslade to understand as much at their interview last week?"
Mrs. Sudlow paused before answering. She had taken it for granted that Fanny was acquainted with what had passed between the two men, but in so thinking she had evidently assumed what was not the fact. She would have given much to be able to assure the girl that the Vicar had already sent Phil to the right-about; but, with all her faults, she was a truthful woman where a question of fact was involved, and Fanny's question demanded a truthful answer.
"No, Fanny," she replied; "your father, instead of giving Mr. Winslade his congé there and then, as he ought to have done, was weak enough to defer his final decision till after your arrival at home."
"Dear, dear papa!" murmured Fanny under her breath. Mrs. Sudlow saw the added sparkle that flashed suddenly out of her eyes, but did not hear the words.
"Not that the result will be in any way different," resumed the latter lady dogmatically. "Your father must write the young man a note on Monday, informing him that the affair is finally broken off."
"Indeed, and indeed, mamma, he must do nothing of the kind."
"Why not, pray?"
"Because the affair, as you call it, is not broken off--in point of fact, it is quite a long way from being broken off."
"Disobedient girl! And would you, then, persist in this--this entanglement in direct opposition to the wishes of your parents?"
"Pardon me, mamma, but I have not yet heard from papa's lips that he is so wholly opposed to my engagement as you seem desirous of making him out to be."