CHAPTER XIV. 



AFFAIRS MATRIMONIAL. 



As the direct upshot of those little meetings cat covert-side 

 and elsewhere, between Ronald Dennison and Penelope, the 

 gentleman in question had thoroughly made up his mind that, 

 being genuinely in love with the possessor of the fairy face 

 and willowy figure, he would put his fate to the test without 

 any further delaj'. Not that he felt much doubt about the 

 lady's decision, and surely few men in real life are so dense 

 as to be unable to read the answer to that all-important 

 question before it is asked. But, speaking generally, most 

 men are pretty sure of not being met by a refusal when 

 the momentous query is put ; if they were not thus sure, 

 probablj^ the boon would never be asked at all. Accordingl}-, 

 Mr. Dennison, taking advantage of a chance meeting with 

 the object of his affections, on the Sunday following the day 

 on which Travers had hung himself up in the tree, spoke 

 that which was in his heart. Penelope was taking a sharp 

 walk in the direction of the post-office, whilst Ronald had 

 been paying his usual Sunday afternoon visit to the kennels, 

 when they met. 



"Which way are you going. Miss Binkie — to the post?" 

 said he, as he raised his cap. And on the lady's smilingly 

 admitting this to be her destination, he added mendaciously. 



