I began to laugh. "And those letters tied up with blue ribbon . . . and all this sighing and blushing. Evan!" I hugged her. "Oh, Theodosia, I'm so happy ..." I had the presence of mind to add: "for you."

"Whatever's come over you, Judith?"

"Well, I didn't think it was Evan."

"You thought it was Tybalt. That's what people think because that's what Father wants. He'd love to see a match between our families. He's always been a great admirer of Sir Edward and interested in everything he does. And he would have loved me to be like you and able to learn about all this stuff. But I'm not like that, and how could anybody want Tybalt when there's Evan!"

"Some might," I said calmly.

"Then they must be mad."

"So mad that they might think you're mad to prefer Evan."

"It's good to talk to you, Judith. We don't like to tell Father, you see. You know what families are. Evan's people were very poor and he's worked his way up. There was some relative who helped him and Evan wants to pay him back every penny he's spent on him. And we're going to do that. I think it's to his credit that he's come so far. It's nothing to be ashamed of. Why Tybalt inherited all sorts of advantages, whereas Evan worked for his."

"It's very laudable," I said.

"Judith, you like Evan, don't you?"

"Of course I do; and I think you and he are ideally suited."

"That's wonderful. But what do you think Father will say?"

"There's one way of finding out. Ask him."

"Do you think one could do that?"

"Why ever not."

"But if he refuses."

"We'll stage an elopement. A ladder against the wall, the bride-to-be escaping down it and then off to Gretna Green or as that's rather a long way from Cornwall, perhaps a special license would be better."

"Oh Judith, you're always such fun. You make everything seem a sort of joke. I'm so glad I've told you."

"So am I," I said with heartfelt conviction.

"What would you do?"

"I should go to your father and say, 'I love Evan Callum. Moreover I am determined to marry him.'"

"And suppose he says no?"

"Then we plan the elopement."

"I wish we could do that now."

"But you must ask your father first. He may be delighted."

"He won't be. He's got this fascination for the Traverses. I believe he would have gone to Egypt if he'd been well enough."

"You'll probably go some time with Evan."

"I'd go anywhere with Evan."

"What does Evan say?"

"He says that we're going to be married whatever happens."

"You may be cut out of your father's will."

"Do you think I care for that? I'd rather have Evan and starve."

"It won't come to that. Why should it? He has a good job at the university, hasn't he? You have nothing to fear. Even if you don't inherit a vast fortune you will be a professor's wife."

"Of course. I don't care about Father's money."

"Then you're in a strong position. You must fight to marry where you please. And you can't begin too soon."

She hugged me again.

I was so happy. How pleasant it is to work for someone's happiness when doing so contributes to your own!

Theodosia was right when she had said that her father would not be pleased about the wedding.

When she broke the news there was a storm.

Theodosia came to my room in tears.

"He won't have it," she said. "He's furious. He says he'll stop it."

"Well, you have to stand firm if you really want to marry."

"You would, wouldn't you, Judith?"

"Do you doubt it?"

"Not for a moment. How I wish I were like you."

"You can be."

"How, Judith, how?"

"Stand firm. No one can make you marry if you won't say the appropriate words."

"You'll help me, won't you, Judith?"

"With all my heart," I said.

"I have told Father that he can cut me out, that I don't care. That I love Evan and that I'm going to marry him."

"That's the first step then."

She was greatly comforted and she stayed in my room while we made plans. I told her that the first thing she must do was write to Evan and tell him the state of affairs. We would see what he would say.

"I shall tell him that you know, Judith, and that we can count on you."

I was surprised to receive a summons from Sir Ralph. When I went to his apartments he was in an armchair in a dressing gown and Blake was hovering. He dismissed Blake and said, "Sit down, Miss Osmond."

I obeyed.

"I have the impression that you are interfering in my daughter's affairs."

"I know that she wishes to marry," I said. "I cannot see that I have interfered."

"Indeed! Didn't you tell her to come and deliver her ultimatum to me?"

"I did tell her that if she wished to marry she should tell you so."

"And perhaps ask my permission?"

"Yes."

"And if I did not give it, to defy me?"

"What she will do is entirely a matter for her to decide."

"But you, in her position, would not think of obeying your father?"

"If I decided to marry then I should do so."

"In spite of the fact that you went against your father's wishes?"

"Yes."

"I guessed it," he said. "Propping her up. That's what you've been doing. By God, Miss Osmond, you have a mighty big idea of your importance."

"I don't know what you mean, Sir Ralph."

"At least you admit to some ignorance. I'm glad to see you have a little humility."

I was silent.

He went on: "You know that my daughter Theodosia wishes to marry this penniless fellow."

"I know that she wishes to marry Professor Evan Callum."

"My daughter will be a very rich woman one day . . . providing she obeys my wishes. Do you still think she should marry this man?"

"If she is in love with him."

"Love! I didn't know you were sentimental, Miss Osmond."

Again I was silent. I could not understand why he had sent for me.

"You are advising my daughter to marry this man."

"I? She had already chosen him before I was aware of her intention."

"I had a match arranged for her, a much more suitable one."

"Surely she is the one who should decide its suitability."

"You have modern ideas, Miss Osmond. In my day daughters obeyed their parents. You don't think they should."

"In most matters. But in my opinion marriage is something which should be decided on by the partners concerned."

"And my daughter's marriage does not concern me?"

"Not as closely as it does her and her future husband."

"You should have been an advocate. Instead of which I believe you have a fancy for the profession of the man my daughter would marry ... if I permit it."

"It's true."

I saw the movement in his jaw and my spirits rose because again I was amusing him.

"I believe you know that I wanted another marriage for my daughter."

"There has been a certain amount of speculation."

"No smoke without fire, eh? I'll be frank. I wanted her to marry but to a different bridegroom. You have your ear to the ground, Miss Osmond, I'm sure."

"I heard suggestions."

"And you don't think it's a bad idea that my daughter chose this one? That's it. In fact, Miss Osmond, are you just a little pleased about it?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"Don't you? This is the second time you've admitted ignorance. That's not like you . . . and especially to feign it. You will help my daughter to disobey her father, won't you? You will be pleased to see her become the wife of this young fellow. You're a wily one, Miss Osmond. You have your reasons."

He lay back in his chair, his face suffused with color.

I could see that he was laughing. I was overcome by confusion at the insinuation in his words.

He knew that I was delighted that Theodosia was in love with Evan Callum, because I wanted Tybalt for myself.

He waved a hand. I was glad to escape.

A few days later Sir Ralph declared that he would permit an engagement between his daughter and Evan Callum.

Theodosia was in a state of bliss.

"Who could have believed, Judith, that there would have been such a complete turnabout."

"I think your father is really rather a sentimental man and you're so obviously in love."

"It's strange, Judith, how little one knows of people who have been close to one all one's life."

"I don't think you're the first to have discovered that."

The marriage was to be at Christmas time and Theodosia was plunged into a whirl of preparations.

Lady Bodrean did not approve. I heard her arguing with Sir Ralph about it. I hurried off to my own room but Jane reported afterwards, and I quite unashamedly listened to her account which I suppose was as bad as eavesdropping myself.

"My word," said Jane, "did the fur fly! They seem to think he's not good enough for our heiress. 'Have you taken leave of your senses?' asks Lady B. 'Madam,' says he, 'I will decide on my daughter's future.' 'She happens to be my daughter too.' 'And it is fortunate for her that she has not turned out like you or I'd be sorry for this young man she's going to marry.' 'So you're sorry for yourself,' says she. 'No, madam, I know how to look after myself,' he says. 'You knew how to scatter your bastards all over the countryside.' 'A man must amuse himself somehow,' he said. Oh he's the master all right. If she'd got hold of a meek man, she'd have ruled him. But not our Squire. Then she said, 'You told me that she was to marry Tybalt Travers.' 'Well, I have changed my mind.' 'That's a sudden turnabout.' 'She's in love with this fellow.' 'Love,' she snorted. 'Something you don't believe in, madam, I know, but I say she shall marry this fellow she's chosen.' 'You've changed your mind. How long is it since you said: "I want my daughter to marry the son of my old friend Edward Travers?'" 'I've changed my mind, that's all that's to be said . . .' And on and on they went throwing insults at each other. My word, we do see life."