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As all the members of the family adored each other, and as Mr Welland was the central object of their idolatry, it never occurred to his wife and May to let hiustine alone; and his sons, ere both in the law, and could not leave New York during the winter, always joined him for Easter and travelled back with him

It was impossible for Archer to discuss the necessity of May's accootts' faely based on the attack of pneumonia which Mr Welland had never had; and his insistence on St Augustine was therefore inflexible Originally, it had been intended that May's engagement should not be announced till her return from Florida, and the fact that it had been made known sooner could not be expected to alter Mr Welland's plans Archer would have liked to join the travellers and have a feeeks of sunshine and boating with his betrothed; but he too was bound by custom and conventions Little arduous as his professional duties were, he would have been convicted of frivolity by the whole Mingott clan if he had suggested asking for a holiday in nation which he perceived would have to be one of the principal constituents of married life

He was conscious that Mada at him under lowered lids "I have done what you wished--what you advised," she said abruptly

"Ah--I' the subject at such a ht," she went on a little breathlessly; "but so"

"I know"

"And I wanted to tell you that I DO feel you were right; and that I'lass quickly to her eyes as the door of the box opened and Beaufort's resonant voice broke in on them

Archer stood up, and left the box and the theatre

Only the day before he had received a letter from May Welland in which, with characteristic candour, she had asked him to "be kind to Ellen" in their absence "She likes you and adh she doesn't show it, she's still very lonely and unhappy I don't think Granny understands her, or uncle Lovell Mingott either; they really think she's much worldlier and fonder of society than she is And I can quite see that New York h the fas we haven't got; wonderful music, and picture shows, and celebrities--artists and authors and all the clever people you ad but lots of dinners and clothes--but I can see that you're almost the only person in New York who can talk to her about what she really cares for"