Page:The principal girl (IA principalgirl00snai).pdf/119

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tones. Was it kind to dear Adela? asked the third person at the conference.

"I shall be glad to hear the grounds of your objection," said S. of P.

It was merely that they didn't seem quite to hit it off. Adela was an awfully nice girl; the fault was his entirely; but still he didn't quite feel as if—

In this charming passage in the aria the Suffolk Colthurst fluted tremulously. So sweet a girl as Adela, so good a family, such excellent connections—

The great Proconsul was rather grieved, in his deepest and richest baritone.

But there it was! said the Green Chartreuse, doing its level best for England, Home and Beauty.

Nevertheless, the Governing Classes seemed hardly able to concede that it was there. They were dining that evening in Mount Street to meet Warlock's sister, Dumbarton's sixth duchess. Hadn't dear Philip better return the sheet of note paper to his father?

The young man rose slowly to confront the Governing Classes.

"Fact is, you know," said he, "I haven't asked her yet; and if I did ask her I'm pretty certain she wouldn't have me. Not that I blame her, of course."

"Philip, you must listen to me," said the Proconsul. "Lady Adela will, as I have reason to know, be quite