“My profound and proverbial humility never permitted the ghost of such a suggestion to affright my soul!  Judging from the confusion which greeted my entrance, I am forced to conclude that it was mal apropos.  But prudent regard for the reputation of the household urged me to venture near enough to the line of battle to inform you that the noise of the conflict proclaims it to the servants, and the unmistakable tones arrested my attention even in the yard.  Family feuds become really respectable if only waged sotto voce.”

He rose as if to leave the room, but his mother motioned him to remain.

“I am very much annoyed at a matter which surprises me beyond expression.  Do you know that Gordon Leigh has made Edna an offer of marriage, and she has been insane enough to refuse him?  Was ever a girl so stupidly blind to her true interest?  She can not hope to make half so brilliant a match, for he is certainly one of the most promising young men in the State, and would give her a position in the world that otherwise she can never attain.”

“Refused him!  Refused affluence, fashionable social stains! diamonds, laces, rose-curtained boudoir, and hot-houses!  Refused the glorious privilege of calling Mrs. Inge ‘sister,’ and the opportunity of snubbing le beau monde who persistently snub her.  Impossible!  You are growing old and oblivious of the strategy you indulged in when throwing your toils around your devoted admirer, whom I, ultimately had the honor of calling my father.  Your pet vagrant, Edna, is no simpleton; she can take care of her own interests, and, accept my word for it, intends to do so.  She is only practising a little harmless coquetry—­toying with her victim, as fish circle round and round the bait which they fully intend to swallow.  Were she Aphaea herself, I should say Gordon’s success is as fixed as any other decree—­

’In the chamber of Fate, where, through tremulous hands, Hum the threads from an old-fashioned distaff uncurled, And those three blind old women sit spinning the world!’

Be not cast down, O my mother!  Your protegee is a true daughter of Eve, and she eyes Leigh’s fortune as hungrily as the aforesaid venerable mother of mankind did the tempting apple.”

“St. Elmo, it is neither respectful nor courteous to be eternally sneering at women in the presence of your own mother.  As for Edna, I am intensely provoked at her deplorable decision, for I know that when she once decides on a course of conduct neither persuasion nor argument will move her one iota.  She is incapable of the contemptible coquetry you imputed to her, and Gordon may as well look elsewhere for a bride.”

“You are quite right, Aunt Ellen; her refusal was most positive.”

“Did she inform you of the fact?” asked Mr. Murray.

“No, but Mr. Leigh told his sister that she gave him no hope whatever.”