said Paul. "She takes just the same view as yourself. I mean the view that I've a great opening and that I must make a great effort."
"And don't you see that for yourself? Do you require a pair of women to tell you?" Mrs. Beever asked.
Paul, looking grave and impartial, turned her question over while he stirred the tea. "No, not exactly. But Miss Armiger puts everything so well."
"She puts some things doubtless beautifully. Still, I should like you to be conscious of some better reason for making yourself acceptable to Jean than that another young woman, however brilliant, recommends it."
The young man continued to ruminate, and it occurred to his mother, as it had occurred before, that his imperturbability was perhaps a strength. "I am," he said at last. "She seems to make clear to me what I feel."
Mrs. Beever wondered. "You mean of course Jean does."
"Dear no—Miss Armiger!"
The lady of Eastmead laughed out in her
