’Yes, she does.  At present there is only one thing I fear for her, and that is a refusal on your part to carry out her wishes.  Beatrice has made up her mind that as little trouble as possible shall result.  I bring, in fact, the most urgent request from her that you, Mr. Athel, and you, Mrs. Birks, will join in a sort of conspiracy to make things smooth for Wilfrid.  She desires—­it is no mere whim, I believe her health depends upon it—­that no obstacle whatever may be put in the way of Wilfrid’s return to society with his wife.  We are to act as though this old engagement had come to an end by mutual agreement, and as approving the marriage.  This is my niece’s serious desire.’

‘My dear Mrs. Baxendale!’ murmured the listening lady.  ’How very extraordinary!  Are you quite sure—­’

‘Oh, this surely is out of the question,’ broke in her brother.  ’That Beatrice should make such a request is very admirable, but I—­uh—­I really—­’

Mr. Athel paused, as if expecting and hoping that someone would defeat his objections.

‘I admit it sounds rather unreal,’ pursued Mrs. Baxendale, ’but fortunately I can give you good evidence of her sincerity.  She has visited the lady who is now Mrs. Athel, and that with the express purpose of representing herself as nothing more than a friend of Wilfrid’s.  You remember she had a slight acquaintance with Miss Hood.  After this I don’t see how we can refuse to aid her plan.’

‘She visited Miss Hood?’ asked Mrs. Birks, with the mild amazement of a lady who respects her emotions.  ‘Does Wilfrid know that?’

‘Beatrice asked his permission to go.’

‘This is altogether beyond me,’ confessed Mr. Athel, drawing down his waistcoat and taking a turn across the room.  Of course, if they have been amusing themselves with a kind of game, well, we have nothing to do but to regret that our invitation to join in it has come rather late.  For my own part, I was disposed to take a somewhat more serious view.  Of course it’s no good throwing away one’s indignation.  I—­uh—­but what is your own attitude with regard to this proposal, Mrs. Baxendale?’

‘I think I must be content to do my niece’s bidding,’ said the lady addressed.

‘There’s one thing, it seems to me, being lost sight of,’ came from Mrs. Birks, in the disinterested tone of a person who wishes to deliver with all clearness an unpleasant suggestion.  ’We are very much in the dark as to Miss Hood’s—­I should say Mrs. Athel’s—­antecedents.  You yourself,’ she regarded Mrs. Baxendale, ’confess that her story is very mysterious.  If we are asked to receive her, really—­doesn’t this occur to you?’

At this moment the door opened and amid general silence Beatrice came forward.  Mrs. Birks rose quickly and met her.  Mrs. Baxendale understood at a glance what had brought her niece here.  Agitation had grown insupportable.  It was not in Beatrice’s character to lie still whilst others decided matters in which she had supreme interest.  The more difficult her position the stronger she found herself to support it.  The culmination of the drama could not be acted with her behind the scenes.