Proceeding upstairs he found Mrs.Ryder in her room and in a few energetic words he explained the situation to his mother.

They had gone too far with this match-making business, he said, his father was trying to interfere with his personal liberty and he was going to put a stop to it.

He would leave at once for Europe.

Mrs.Ryder had already heard of the projected trip abroad, so the news of this sudden departure was not the shock it might otherwise have been.

In her heart she did not blame her son, on the contrary she admired his spirit, and if the temporary absence from home would make him happier, she would not hold him back.