‘That would not be true,’ said Miss Martin.

‘A noble falsehood,’ said Merton.

’But I assure you that if my plan fails no harm can possibly be caused or suspected.  And if it succeeds then the thing is done:  either Mr. Warren is reconciled to the marriage, or—­the marriage is broken off, as he desires.’

‘By whom?’

’By the Conscientious Objectrix, if that is the feminine of Objector—­by Miss Jane Truman.’

‘Why should Jane break it off if the old gentleman agrees?’

’Because Jane would be a silly girl.  Mr. Merton, I will promise you one thing.  The plan shall not be tried without the approval of the lover himself.  None but he shall be concerned in the affair.’

’You won’t hypnotise the girl and let him vaccinate her when she is in the hypnotic sleep?’

’No, nor even will I give her a post-hypnotic suggestion to vaccinate herself, or go to the doctor’s and have it done when she is awake; though,’ said Miss Martin, ’that is not bad business either.  I must make a note of that.  But I can’t hypnotise anybody.  I tried lots of girls when I was at St. Ursula’s and nothing ever came of it.  Thank you for the idea all the same.  By the way, I first must sterilise the pontifical—­’ She paused.

‘The what?’

’That is my secret!  Don’t you see how safe it is?  None but the lover shall have his and her fate in his hands. C’est a prendre ou a laisser.’

Merton was young and adventurous.

’You give me your word that your idea is absolutely safe and harmless?  It involves no crime?’

‘None; and if you like,’ said Miss Martin, ’I will bring you the highest professional opinion,’ and she mentioned an eminent name in the craft of healing.  ‘He was our doctor when we were children,’ said the lady, ’and we have always been friends.’

‘Well,’ Merton said, ’what is good enough for Sir Josiah Wilkinson is good enough for me.  But you will bring me the document?’

‘The day after to-morrow,’ said Miss Martin, and with that assurance Merton had to be content.

Sir Josiah was almost equally famous in the world as a physician and, in a smaller but equally refined circle, as a virtuoso and collector of objects of art.  His opinions about the beneficent effects of vaccination were known to be at the opposite pole from those of the intelligent population of Bulcester.

On the next day but one Miss Martin again entertained Merton at her club, and demurely presented him with three documents.  These were Mr. Warren’s invitation, her reply in acceptance, and a formal signed statement by Sir Josiah that her scheme was perfectly harmless, and commanded his admiring approval.

‘Now!’ said Miss Martin.

‘I own that I don’t like it,’ said Merton.  ’Logan thinks that it is all right, but Logan is a born conspirator.  However, as you are set on it, and as Sir Josiah’s opinion carries great weight, you may go.  But be very careful.  Have you written your lecture?’