"
"If, however, on reading this you will wire me at Ventura your full
consent to my marriage with Miss Middleton, I think I can guarantee
that your dinner party will be a success."
"I shall be in Ventura till half past four. Should I fail to hear
from you by that time, we shall continue our journey toward Los
Angeles as fast as our six-cylinders will take us."
"It grieves me more than I can tell you to employ this cavalier
method against you, but my softer appeals have been in vain."
"While not a party to the plot, the duke, I find is something of a
philosopher; I do not look for any resistance on his part. If he
does resist, so much the worse for him."
"Your affectionate son, BLAKELY PORTER."
"P. S. Please do not think that Miss Middleton has any knowledge of
this plan. She has not."
"P. S. Remember! We leave Ventura for Los Angeles at 4:50 p.m.
sharp."
"Mrs. Porter," I said when I had finished reading the letter, "I am
deeply humiliated that Blakely should have done this."
"Still, I suppose you would marry him if I gave my consent."
"I would not," I replied hotly. "I might marry him without your
consent, for I love him dearly; but I would never consider you had
given your consent if it were forced from you by trickery.
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