and not much liking what little she knew of him, at
the kindness and warmth with which he wrote to her.

"Under ordinary circumstances I should not have
approved of my son's making so early a marriage, but
everything is now changed. And though I suppose
it would not be reasonable to expect such a thing, I
should be, for my part, quite content were they to
be married during the leave to which I understand he
will shortly be entitled."

But on reading these words, Mrs. Otway had shaken
her head very decidedly. What an odd, _very_ odd,
man General Blake must be! She felt sure that
neither Jervis nor Rose would think of doing such a
thing. It was, however, quite natural that Jervis's
parents should wish to have Rose on a visit; and of
course Rose must go soon, and try to make good
friends with them both -- not an over-easy matter, for
they were very different and, as Mrs. Otway knew,
not on really happy terms the one with the other.

There was some little discussion as to who in
Witanbury should be told of Rose's engagement. It
seemed hopeless to keep the affair a secret. For one
thing, the officials at the Post Office knew -- they had
almost shown it by their funny, smiling manner when
Rose had gone in to send her answer to Lady Blake's
telegram. But the first to be informed officially, so
to speak, must of course be the Dean and the Robeys.

Dr. Haworth had aged sadly during the last few
weeks. Edith was going to nurse in a French hospital,
and she and her mother had gone away for a
little change first. And so, as was natural, the Dean
came very often to the Trellis House; and though,
when he was told of Rose's engagement, he sighed

[[238]]

p237 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p238w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p239

v?