t
suppose that it is necessary to insist upon them to you. But I feel I had no
right to leave any means unused. By speaking to you, I might cause you to act
more earnestly than you otherwise would. That was all.«
    »I am very willing to help you,« she replied, with carefully courteous
voice.
    »After all, I had rather we didn't put it in that way,« Mallard resumed,
with a curious doggedness, as if her tone were distasteful to him. »My own part
in the business is accidental. Please tell me: is it, or not, your own belief
that a delay is desirable?«
    The reply was forced from her.
    »I certainly think it is.«
    »May I ask you if you have reasoned with your brother about it?«
    »I haven't had any communication with him since - since we knew of this.«
She paused; but, before Mallard had shown an intention to speak, added abruptly,
»I should have thought that Miss Doran might have been trusted to understand and
respect your wishes.«
    »Miss Doran knows my wishes,« he answered drily, »but I haven't insisted
upon them to her, and am not disposed to do so.«
    »Would it not be very simple and natural if you did?«
    The look he gave her was stern all but to anger.
    »It wouldn't be a very pleasant task to me, Mrs. Baske, to lay before her my
strongest arguments against her marrying Mr. Elgar. And if I don't do that, it
seems to me that it is better to let her know my wishes through Mrs. Lessingham.
As you say, it is to be hoped she will understand and respect them.«
    He rose from his chair. For some reason, Miriam could not utter the words
that one part of her prompted. She wished to assure him that she would do her
best with Reuben, but at the same time she resented his mode of addressing her,
and the conflict made her tongue-tied.
    »I won't occupy more of your time, Mrs. Baske.«
    She would have begged him to resume his seat. The conversation had been so
short; she wanted to hear him speak more freely. But her request, she knew,
would be disregarded. With an effort, she succeeded in holding out her hand;
Mallard held it lightly for an instant.
    »I will write to him,« fell from her lips, when
