The Reason Why

ears. Instead, he drove straight back to his rooms in St. James' Street, and, getting comfortably into his pet chair, he steadily set himself to think. He had acted upon a mad

ld not move with more dignity: a thought which reminded him that he had better write to his parent and inform her of his intended step. He thought of all the women he had loved-or imagined he had loved-since he left Eton. The two affairs which had convulsed him during his second year at Oxford were perhaps the most s

eigns to half Europe, had come over with his Duke William, and had been rewarded by the gift of the Wrayth lands-seized f

er cold-blooded of her to be willing to marry him, a stranger; but he was not going to permit himself to dwell upon that. She could not be really cold-blooded with that face: its every line bespoke capability of exquisite passion. It was not the least cunning, or calculati

ear M

rey (a brother of old Colonel Grey of Hentingdon who died last year),

had suddenly remembered he di

to-or had, last season. She is most beautiful and I hope you will like her.

tionate son

tter, because he signed it "Tancred." He usually finishe

hat well conducted-friendship-with Laura Highford could not be called being in love. Then she thought of Francis Markrute. He was so immensely rich, she could not help a relieved sigh. There would be money at all events. But she knew that could not be the reason. She was aware of her son's views about rich wives. She was aware, too, that with all his sporting tastes and modern irreverence of tradition, und

d's two sisters

ey kissed her and sat down on the bed. They felt it was a momentous moment, because L

referred to the letter lying on the coverlet, "to a Countes

d "Really!" gasp

we see

e kno

no one has been in town, except this last week for Flora's wedding. I suppose Tristram must have met

t she is like

oung?" as

replied Lady Tancred, "on

ised," both girl

to have chosen any one of whom I should disapprove. You must be ready to call with me, directly afte

dismissed, and, kissing their dignified parent, they retired to their own large, back r

n the former's bed waiting for their breakfast. "One can see Mother is very much mov

es. She nags at him-she is a cat anyway and I

sely, "they must have some one, I mean, t

ry rich and perhaps she is, too. How lovely it will be if they are able t

deed," s

iful, hard, fine-featured face. She was supremely dignified, and dressed well and with care. She had been brought up in the school which taught the repression of all emotion-now,

obliged to give him an extra canter twice round the Row, before coming in, and was breakfast ready?-as he was e

lordship, "I am ravenous. Then you can g

dship's well!" and, surrounding his plate with hot, covered,

o completely what he ought to look, she thought-magnificently healthy and

, now tell me all a

-won't you?" He had taken the precaution to send round a note, early in the morning, to Francis Markrute, asking for his lady's full name, as he wished t

manners you say? That at least is on the right si

tlet, while he smiled almost grimly. His sense of humor was highly aroused oven the wh

g his mother to drag information from him; he

f, and so told you at once. She will be awfully rich, which is rather a pity in a sense-though I suppose we

less without money to keep up its traditions, and any woman would find your title and your position well worth all her gold. There are things you will give her in return

d, you know, so she won't throw it i

ued; "years ago he drove a coach; but I don't re

ung fiancé was quite ignorant about

as come to live with Francis Markrute. He is an awfully good fellow, Mother, though you don't like him; extremely cultivated, and so quain

Markrute, Tristram, do yo

thers-were tiresome at ti

erhaps, or Russian. I have never thought about it; he speaks En

think it would be more prudent, dear, to gather some

husband during her first years of married life, and had desisted in the end. Tristram's strong, lev

eg of you to accept the situation. I do not demand any information, and I ask you not to trouble yo

e did not say anything, and there was silence for a minute, while

lunch," she said presently, "and I am to ask for the C

day I'll go with you, Mother. You see, until the announcement comes out in the Morning Post, every

, since he had not even exchanged pe

urst into a peal of laughter, while he jumped up and kissed her with the delightful, caressing

like that I am happy, too, and will do just what you wish.

kissed her again and, holding her arm,

y to discuss all the points. So good-bye for the present. I will probably see you to-night. Call a taxi," he said to Michelham who at that mo

of the news-let it come out in the Mor

coming up from Uncle Charles' to go back to Eton

t class chap, he'll understand, and, I say"-and he pulled some so

h a smil

y line, drove up to the door, and, paying for the taxi in a lordly way, came into his mother's morning-room. There had been a gap in the family after Tris

nishment and interest when he heard

od enough. But what a beastly nuisance! He won't go to