第203章

"Certainly," said Frank. "I suppose I'm to be allowed to return?""If he does not," -- said Imogene, who at her brother's request had left the room, but still stood at the open door -- "if he does not I shall go to him in Penzance. You will hardly attempt to keep me a prisoner.""Who says that he is not to return? I think that you are two idiots, but I am quite aware that I cannot prevent you from being married if you are both determined." Then he led the way out through the hall, and Frank followed him. "I cannot understand that any man should be so fickle," he said, when they were both out on the walk together.

"Constant, I should suppose you mean."

"I said fickle, and I meant it. It was at your own suggestion that you and Imogene were to be separated.""No doubt; it was at my suggestion, and with her consent. But you see that we have changed our minds.""And will change them again."

"We are steady enough in our purpose now, at any rate. You hear what she says. If I came down here to persuade her to alter her purpose -- to talk her into doing something of which you disapproved, and as to which she agreed with you -- then you might do something by quarrelling with me. But what's the use of it, when she and I are of one mind? You know that you cannot talk her over.""Where do you mean to live?"

"I'll tell you all about that if you'll allow me to send into Penzance for my things. I cannot discuss matters with you if you proclaim yourself to be my enemy. You say we are both idiots.""I do."

"Very well. Then you had better put up with two idiots. You can't cure their idiocy. Nor have you any authority to prevent them from exhibiting it." The argument was efficacious though the idiocy was acknowledged. The portmanteau was sent for, and before the evening was over Frank had again been received at Tregothnan as Imogene's accepted lover.

Then Frank had his story to tell and his new proposition to make.

Aunt Rosina had offered to join her means with his. The house in Green Street, no doubt, was small, but room it was thought could be made, at any rate till the necessity had come for various cribs and various cradles. "I cannot imagine that you will endure to live with Aunt Rosina," said the brother.

"Why on earth should I object to Aunt Rosina?" said Imogene.

"She and I have always been friends." In her present mood she would hardly have objected to live with any old woman, however objectionable. "And we shall be able to have a small cottage somewhere," said Frank. "She will keep the house in London, and we shall keep the cottage.""And what on earth will you do with yourself?""I have thought of that too," said Frank. "I shall take to painting pictures in earnest -- portraits probably. I don't see why Ishouldn't do as well as anybody else."

"That head of yours of old Mrs Jones", said Imogene "was a great deal better than dozens of things one sees every year in the Academy.""Bother!" exclaimed Docimer.

"I don't see why he should not succeed, if he really will work hard," said Mrs Docimer.

"Bother!"

"Why should it be bother?" said Frank, put upon his mettle. "Ever so many fellows have begun and have got on, older than I am.

And, even if I don't earn anything, I've got an employment.""And is the painting-room to be in Green Street also?" asked Docimer.