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 CHAPTER XIX

A GREAT OCCASION

Mother was the first to see in the Morning Post that a marriage had been arranged, and would shortly take place. She handed the excellent journal across the table to Father with a sphinxlike countenance. But, as Mr. Jennings subsequently informed the house-*keeper, Mrs. Meeson, in a private colloquy in the pantry, his lordship took the blow with resignation.

"No more than I've been expecting for some little time past, Agatha," said the great Proconsul.

But the wife of his bosom was dumb with dismay.

"Agatha," said the Proconsul, after Mr. Jennings had quitted the scene, "have you seen the Person?"

"I have, Wally; and I am strongly of opinion that Philip is out of his mind."

Not very comforting, was it?

There was only one thing to be done, though, and that was what generations of excellent parents have had to do before them—namely, and to wit, To Grin and Bear It.

Frankly, the Governing Classes were not specially good at grinning, but they bore the blow with resigna