Roby can take care of himself." "Quite so." "And so I dare say can Mr.Lopez." At this moment Emily entered the room.

"My dear," said her father, "I am speaking to your aunt.

Would you mind going downstairs and waiting for us?
Tell them we shall be ready for dinner in ten minutes." Then Emily passed out of the room, and Mrs.Roby assumed a grave demeanour.

"The man we are speaking of has been to me and has made an offer for Emily." As he said this he looked anxiously into his sister-in-law's face, in order that he might tell from that how far she favoured the idea of such a marriage,--and he thought that he perceived at once that she was not averse to it.

"You know it is quite out of the question," he continued.
"I don't know why it should be out of the question.