The look which Mr. Athel cast at his son had in it something of pride.  He would not trust himself to speak immediately.

‘I don’t say,’ he began presently, with balancing of phrase, ’that your plan is not on the face of it consistent and reasonable.  Putting aside for the moment the wretchedly unsatisfactory circumstances which originate it, I suppose it is the plan which naturally suggests itself.  But, of course, in practice it is out of the question.’

‘You feel sure that aunt would not entertain it?’

‘I do.  And I don’t see how I could recommend her to do so.’

Wilfrid reflected.

‘In that case,’ he said, ’I have only one alternative.  I must give up my intention of returning to Oxford, and marry before the end of the year.’

The words had to his own ears a somewhat explosive sound.  They were uttered, however, and he was glad of it.  A purpose thus formulated he would not swerve from.  Of that his father too was well aware.

Mr. Athel rose from his seat, held the rolled-up magazine in both hands behind his back, and took a turn across a few yards of lawn.  Wilfrid sat still, leaning forward, watching his father’s shadow.  The shadow approached him.

’Wilf, is there no via media?  Cannot Miss Hood remain at home for a while?  Are you going to throw up your career, and lay in a stock of repentance for the rest of your life?’

’I don’t think you quite understand me, father.  I contemplate no career which could possibly be injured even by my immediate marriage.  If you mean University honours—­I care nothing about them.  I would go through the routine just for the sake of completeness; it is her strong wish that I should.  But my future, most happily, does not depend on success of that kind.  I shall live the life of a student, my end will be self-culture.  And Miss Hood is unfortunately not able to remain at home.  I say unfortunately, but I should have regarded it as preferable that she should continue in her position with us.  You and aunt Edith would come to know her, and the air of a home like ours would, I believe, suit her better than that of her own.  There is nothing in her work that might not be performed by any lady.’

‘What do you know of her people?’

’Nothing, except that her father has scientific interests.  It is plain enough, though, that they cannot be without refinement.  No doubt they are poor; we hardly consider that a crime.’

He rose, as if he considered the interview at an end.

‘Look here,’ said Mr. Athel, with a little bluffness, the result of a difficulty in making concessions; ’if Miss Hood returned to us, as you propose, should you consider it a point of honour to go on with your work at Balliol as if nothing had happened, and to abstain from communication with her of a kind which would make things awkward?’

’Both, undoubtedly.  I could very well arrange to keep away from home entirely in the interval.’