To bring Mrs.Pettifer and her together was, so it seemed to him, to mix earth with delicate flame.

But he had great faith in Stella Ballantyne.
Let them but meet and the earth might melt--who could tell?
At the worst his aunt would bristle, and there were his father and himself to see that the bristles did not prick.
"Yes, come and dine." Mrs.Pettifer had got over her amazement at her nephew's audacity.
Curiosity had taken its place--curiosity and fear.

She must see this woman for herself.
"Yes," she answered after a pause.

"I will come.

I'll bring Robert too." "Good.