Poor Stephen, what has he done ?" "I have always hoped," observed Mrs.Culpeper firmly, "that Stephen would marry Margaret." "I am aware of that." A flicker of amusement brightened Corinna's eyes.
"So, I think, is Stephen." "I have tried to be honest.

It seems to me that a mother's wish should carry a great deal of weight in such matters." "It ought to," assented Corinna, "but I've never heard of its doing so." "Everything would have been satisfactory if he had not allowed himself to be carried away by a foolish fancy." "I cannot imagine," said Corinna primly, "that Stephen could ever be foolish.

It gives me hope of him." Impaling her, as if she had been a butterfly, with a glance as sharp as a needle, Mrs.Culpeper demanded sternly, "How much do you know of this affair, my dear ?" In spite of her natural courage Corinna was seized with a shiver of apprehension.

"Do you think it is an affair ?" she asked.
"I think it is worse.

I think it is an infatuation." "What, Stephen?
Not really ?" Corinna's voice was mirthfully incredulous.
"I have seen the girl once or twice," resumed Mrs.Culpeper, "and she seems to me objectionable from every point of view." "Only from the Culpeper one," protested Corinna.