These words were the keynote to Mrs. Fordyce’s plan of action.  To secure Gladys as a daughter-in-law at any price was her aim, and she had already stifled her womanly indignation over her son’s fall, and even comforted herself by the cheap reflection that George had never been half so fast as dozens of other young men who were received into the best society.  She had worshipped at the shrine of wealth and social position so long that all her views of life were centred upon a solitary goal, and consequently ran in a narrow and distorted groove.

’If the girl can be prevented going down to Bourhill, all may be well.  Do you think she is one likely to hold her tongue?’

’I don’t know anything about her.  She’ll speak, just as other women speak, when it comes up her own back, I suppose.  The chances are, if Gladys and she have met, she’s told the whole story already.’

’Oh no, she hasn’t, because Gladys knew your aunt was coming here this afternoon, and sent a message that you might come over after dinner.  She wouldn’t have done that if she’d known that pretty story.  You’d better go away to the Crescent at once.’

‘I’m not very fond of the job,’ said George, fortifying himself with a glass of whisky and water.  ’I’ve a good mind to throw the whole bally thing up, and go off to the Antipodes.  Marrying is an awful bore, anyhow; women are such a confounded nuisance.’

His mother listened to these lofty sentiments in silence, though she inwardly felt that it would relieve her feelings considerably to administer a sound box in the ear.

’I’m trying to help you, George, against my better judgment, but you don’t appear to be very grateful,’ she said severely.  ’I’ve a good mind to let you bear the brunt of your folly, as you deserve; and you know very well that if your father knew about it, his anger would be terrific.  I’m afraid you’d have to take to the Antipodes then, because the door would be shut upon you here.  I would advise you to do what you can to redeem yourself, and your utmost to keep Gladys.  Tell me something about the girl.  Do you think she would accept a sum of money to leave Glasgow and hold her tongue?’

‘No,’ he answered, ‘I don’t.’

‘Why, she must be very different from other girls of her class.’

’I don’t know what are the characteristics of her class, but I know jolly well that if you offer money to her, she’ll astonish you.’

Mrs. Fordyce looked with yet keener disfavour into her son’s face.

‘If she’s that kind of girl, you must have promised her marriage.’

‘Well, I daresay I did, but she might have known it was only talk,’ he said, trying to speak coolly, though his mother’s gaze made him decidedly uncomfortable.  ’But I’m sick of the subject.  I’ll away over to Kelvinside, and have it either off or on.  If the thing’s out, I’ll brazen it out; it’s the only way.’

’You don’t seem to realise the seriousness of the position, I’m sure I don’t know what has made you go so far astray—­not the training or example in this house.  You have grievously disappointed me.’