’Then let it be arranged in this way.  I will not call here to take you up, but will meet you at the station at Anglebury; and we can go on together by train without notice.  Surely there can be no objection to that?  It would be mere prudishness to object, since we are to become one so shortly.’  He spoke a little impatiently.  It was plain that he particularly wanted her to go to Melchester.

’I merely meant that there was a chance of discovery in our going out together.  And discovery means no marriage.’  She was pale now, and sick at heart, for it seemed that the viscount must be aware that Christopher dwelt at that place, and was about to test her concerning him.

‘Why does it mean no marriage?’ said he.

’My father might, and almost certainly would, object to it.  Although he cannot control me, he might entreat me.’

‘Why would he object?’ said Lord Mountclere uneasily, and somewhat haughtily.

‘I don’t know.’

‘But you will be my wife—­say again that you will.’

‘I will.’

He breathed.  ‘He will not object—­hee-hee!’ he said.  ’O no—­I think you will be mine now.’

‘I have said so.  But look to me all the same.’

’You malign yourself, dear one.  But you will meet me at Anglebury, as I wish, and go on to Melchester with me?’

‘I shall be pleased to—­if my sister may accompany me.’

‘Ah—­your sister.  Yes, of course.’

They settled the time of the journey, and when the visit had been stretched out as long as it reasonably could be with propriety, Lord Mountclere took his leave.

When he was again seated on the driving-phaeton which he had brought that day, Lord Mountclere looked gleeful, and shrewd enough in his own opinion to outwit Mephistopheles.  As soon as they were ascending a hill, and he could find time to free his hand, he pulled off his glove, and drawing from his pocket a programme of the Melchester concert referred to, contemplated therein the name of one of the intended performers.  The name was that of Mr. C. Julian.  Replacing it again, he looked ahead, and some time after murmured with wily mirth, ’An excellent test—­a lucky thought!’

Nothing of importance occurred during the intervening days.  At two o’clock on the appointed afternoon Ethelberta stepped from the train at Melchester with the viscount, who had met her as proposed; she was followed behind by Picotee.

The concert was to be held at the Town-hall half-an-hour later.  They entered a fly in waiting, and secure from recognition, were driven leisurely in that direction, Picotee silent and absorbed with her own thoughts.

‘There’s the Cathedral,’ said Lord Mountclere humorously, as they caught a view of one of its towers through a street leading into the Close.

‘Yes.’

‘It boasts of a very fine organ.’

‘Ah.’

‘And the organist is a clever young man.’