Wilfrid had as little anticipated such a step as any other of Beatrice's friends.

What was about to happen only became known a day or two in advance.

Mrs.Ashley Birks was paralysed with horror; she implored, she reasoned, she put on her face of cold anger.

Mr.Athel cried 'What the deuce!' and forthwith held a serious colloquy with his son.

Wilfrid experienced a certain joy, only tempered with anxiety as to the result of the experiment.