Mr. Locker gazed at the crocheted nucleus with an air of the loftiest disdain.  “Of course, of course,” said he, “but you really oblige me, Miss Asher, to speak very plainly and frankly and to say that I really do not care about playing tennis, but that I want to speak to you on a most important subject, which, for reasons that I will explain, must be spoken of immediately.  So, if Miss Raleigh will be kind enough to postpone the little matter you have on hand—­”

Olive smiled and shook her head.  “No, indeed, sir,” she said; “I would not hurt a lady’s feelings in that way, and moreover, I would not allow her to hurt her own feelings.  It would hurt your feelings, Miss Raleigh, wouldn’t it, to be sent away like a child who is not wanted?”

“Yes,” said the secretary, “I think it would.”

Mr. Locker listened in amazement.  He had not thought the mature maiden had the nerve to say that.

“Then again,” said Olive, “this isn’t the time for you to talk business with me, and you should not disturb me at this hour.”

“Oh,” said Locker, bringing down the forefinger of his right hand upon the palm of his left, “that is a point, a very essential point.  I voluntarily surrendered the period of discourse which you assigned to me for a reason which I now believe did not exist, and this is only an assertion of the rights vested in me by you.”

Miss Raleigh listened very attentively to these remarks, but could not imagine what they meant.

Olive looked at him graciously.  “Yes,” she said, “you are very generous, but your period for discourse, as you call it, will have to be postponed.”

“But it can’t be postponed,” he answered.  “If I could see you alone I could soon explain that to you.  There are certain reasons why I must speak now.”

“I can’t help it,” said Olive.  “I am not going to leave Miss Raleigh, and I am sure she does not want to leave me, so if you are obliged to speak you must speak before her.”

Mr. Locker gazed from one to the other of the two ladies who sat before him; each of them wore a gentle but determined expression.  He addressed the secretary.

“Miss Raleigh,” said he, “if you understood the reason for my strong desire to speak in private with Miss Asher, perhaps you would respect it and give me the opportunity I ask for.  I am here to make a proposition of marriage to this lady, and it is absolutely necessary that I make it without loss of time.  Do you desire me to make it in your presence?”

“I should like it very much,” said Miss Raleigh.

Mr. Locker gave her a look of despair, and turned to Olive.  “Would you permit that?” he asked.

“If it is absolutely necessary,” she said, “I suppose I shall have to permit it.”

Mr. Locker had the soul of a lion in his somewhat circumscribed body, and he was not to be recklessly dared to action.

“Very well, then,” said he, “I shall proceed as if we were alone, and I hope, Miss Raleigh, you will at least see fit to consider yourself in a strictly confidential position.”