In spite of her light and easy manner, the problem of her brother's
future weighed heavily upon the girl's mind. The eleventh hour
approached, and nothing more definite had been achieved in the way of
encouragement than an occasional written line at the end of the printed
rejections: "Pleased to see future verses," "Unsuitable; but shall be
glad to consider other poems." Even the optimism of two-and-twenty
recognised that such straws as these could not weigh against the hard-
headed logic of a business man!
It was in the last degree unlikely that Ronald would make any striking
success in literature in the time still remaining under the terms of the
agreement, unless--as she herself had hinted--desperate measures were
adopted to meet desperate needs. A scheme was hatching in Margot's
brain,--daring, uncertain; such a scheme as no one but a young and self-
confident girl could have conceived, but holding nevertheless the
possibilities of success. She wanted to think it out, and movement in
the fresh air gave freedom to her thoughts.
Really it was simple enough,--requiring only a little trouble, a little
engineering, a little harmless diplomacy. Ronald was a mere babe where
such things were concerned, but he would be obedient and do as he was
told, and for the rest, Margot was confident of her own powers.
The speculative frown gave way to a smile; she laughed, a gleeful,
girlish laugh, and tossed her head, unconsciously acting a little
duologue, with nods and frowns and upward languishing glance. All
things seem easy to sweet and twenty, when the sun shines, and the scent
of spring is in the air. The completed scheme stood out clear and
distinct in Margot's mind. Only one small clue was lacking, and that
she was even now on the way to discover!