"What sort of coercion?" said Mrs. Gereth. In the full face of what she was keeping back such a hope could only make her wince; but she was prompt with her explanations in proportion as she felt they failed to meet him. The smutty maid came in with tea-things, and Fleda, moving several objects, eagerly accepted the diversion of arranging a place for them on one of the tables. "I've been trying to break your mother down because it has seemed there may be some chance of it. That's why I've let you go on expecting it. She's too proud to veer round all at once, but I think I speak correctly in saying that I've made an impression."!

"Why is it you hate him so?" her hostess abruptly inquired. "What do you call the open, Mrs. Gereth?" Fleda demanded. Then as the other faltered: "Do you know where Mr. Owen is to-day?"

CHAPTER XXII "Does Mona?" "The whole thing has indeed been wretched, and I can easily conceive its effect upon her," Fleda said.