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 CHAPTER XII

ARDORS AND ENDURANCES

I

"There," cried Mary upon a note of triumph.

An excited wave of that delightful journal, the Morning Post, accompanied the pæan. And then it was hurled across the breakfast-table with deft precision into the lap of Milly.

"A marriage has been arranged," said the courier of Hymen, "and will shortly take place between Charles, only son of the late Simeon Cheesewright and Mrs. Cheesewright, of Streatham Hill, and Mildred Ulrica, younger daughter of the late H. Blandish Wren and Mrs. Wren, 5, Victoria Mansions, Broad Place, Knightsbridge, W."

Again arose the triumphant cry.

But Mrs. Wren, excavating the interior of a boiled egg, felt it to be her duty to check this unbridled enthusiasm. For some days past, with rather mournful iteration, she had let it be known that the impending announcement could not hope to receive her unqualified approval.

In the first place, as she frankly admitted, the Marquis had spoiled her. She had to confess that he had proved