"Gently, Julian," she said.

"Grace has only been introduced to you hitherto in the character of my adopted daughter--" "And it seems to be high time," Horace added, haughtily, "that I should present her next in the character of my engaged wife." Julian looked at Horace as if he could hardly credit the evidence of his own ears.

"Your wife!" he exclaimed, with an irrepressible outburst of disappointment and surprise.
"Yes.

My wife," returned Horace.

"We are to be married in a fortnight.
May I ask," he added, with angry humility, "if you disapprove of the marriage ?" Lady Janet interposed once more.