He found the situation intolerable.

He only answered, "Never." "Bessie is waiting to hear all about it in the schoolroom," continued Magdalen.

"I have asked her to go over the papers with you.

She will be as surprised and delighted as I am.

Shall we go and tell her ?" And without waiting for an answer she rose and led the way to the schoolroom, followed by Mr.Thomson.Bessie was sitting alone there, staring in front of her, paralysed by Lord Lossiemouth's arrival, and indignant at the possibility that Magdalen might marry that "horrid old thing," who was not the least like the charming photograph of him in her sister's album.