his grandfather, but now again all the discomforts of war were imminent.
'Good morning, sir,’ he said, on going into his grandfather's dressing-room.
'Good morning, Peregrine.' And then there was silence for a moment or two.
'Did you see your mother last night?'
'Yes; I did see her.'
'And she told you what it is that I propose to do?'
'Yes, sir; she told me.'
'I hope you understand, my boy, that it will not in any way affect your own interests injuriously.'
'I don't care about that, sir—one way or the other.'
'But I do, Peregrine. Having seen to that I think that I have a right to please myself in this matter.'
'Oh, yes, sir; I know you have the right.'
'Especially as I can benefit others. Are you aware that your mother has cordially given her consent to the marriage?'
'She told me that you had asked her, and that she had agreed to it. She would agree to anything.'
'Peregrine, that is not the way in which you should speak of your mother.'
And then the young man stood silent, as though there was nothing more to be said. Indeed, he had nothing more to say. He did not dare to bring forward in words all the arguments against the marriage which were now crowding themselves into his memory, but he could not induce himself to wish the old man joy, or to say any of those civil things which are customary on such occasions. The baronet sat for a while, silent also, and a cloud of anger was coming across his brow; but he checked that before he spoke. 'Well, my boy,' he said, and his voice was almost more than usually kind, 'I can understand your thoughts, and we will say nothing of them at present. All I will ask of you is to treat Lady Mason in a manner befitting the position in which I intend to place her.'
'If you think it will be more comfortable, sir, I will leave The Cleeve for a time.'
'I hope that may not be necessary—Why should it? Or at any-rate, not as yet,’ he added, as a thought as to his wedding day occurred to him. And then the interview was over, and in another half-hour they met again at breakfast.
In the breakfast-room Lady Mason was also present. Peregrine the last to enter, and as he did so his grandfather was already standing in his usual place, with the book of Prayers in his hand, waiting that the servants should arrange themselves at their chairs before he knelt down. There was no time then for much greeting,
