Page:Edgar Jepson--the four philanthropists.djvu/255

Rh it is only considered necessary in the best circles in England. But I like to do the correct thing." And he stopped and seemed to seek for words.

"Drive on, sonny," I said, speaking American to help him. "It sounds as if it were something unpleasant. But don't mind me."

"Oh, no; it isn't," he said quickly. "But as she's under age, I thought—I thought I would ask your permission to pay my addresses to your sister."

I ought to have known what was coming; but as it was I was taken somewhat aback. "Good heavens," I cried. "Pay your addresses to Angel. Why, she's a mere child! She—she's only just done her hair up." And for the moment I was filled with an extreme hostility to Chelubai.

"She's nearly seventeen," said Chelubai. "And I believe that the marriageable age as fixed by British law is a good deal less than that."

It was a fact to put forward! I stared at him, my mind working with inconceivable swiftness to find some reason which would put an end to the business for good and all.

Chelubai did not wait for me to find it, he went on, "It isn't only that I admire her immensely. But I have a feeling, in fact it's an absolute conviction that her destiny and mine have been linked together in previous existences. You know that we