ook hold of his arm and put out one foot. "Are you ready?"

"I am very willing."

"But are you ready,--for a straightforward walk off to church before
all the world? None of your private chaplains, such as Sir Guy had at
his command. Just the registrar, if there is nothing better,--so that
it be public, before all the world."

"I wish we could start this instant."

"But we can't,--can we?"

"No, dear. So many things have to be settled."

"And what have you settled on since you last spoke to me?"

"I have told your father everything."

"Yes;--I know that. What good does that do? Father is not a Duke of
Omnium. No one supposed that he would object."

"But he did," said Silverbridge.

"Yes;--as I do,--for the same reason; because he would not have his
daughter creep in at a hole. But to your own father you have not
ventured to speak." Then he told his story, as best he knew how. It
was not that he feared his father, but that he felt that the present
moment was not fit. "He wishes you to marry that Lady Mabel Grex,"
she said. He nodded his head. "And you will marry her?"

"Never! I might have done so, had I not seen you. I should have done
so, if she had been willing. But now I never can,--never, never."
Her hand had dropped from his arm, but now she put it up again for a
moment, so that he might feel the pressure of her fingers. "Say that
you believe me."

"I think I do."

"You know I love you."

"I think you do. I am sure I hope you do. If you don't, then I am--a
miserable wretch."

"With all my heart I do."

"Then I am as proud as a queen. You will tell him soon?"

"As soon as you are gone. As soon as we are alone together. I
will;--and then I will follow you to London. Now shall we not say,
Good-bye?"

"Good-bye, my own," she whispered.

"You will let me have one kiss?"

Her hand was in his, and she looked about as though to see that no
eyes were watching them. But then, as the thoughts came rushing to
her mind, she changed her purpose. "No," she said. "What is it but a
trifle! It is nothing in itself. But I have bound myself to myself by
certain promises, and you must not ask me to break them. You are as
sweet to me as I can be to you, but there shall be no kissing till I
know that I shall be your wife. Now take me back."

CHAPTER LIV

"I Don't Think She Is a Snake"

On the following day, Tuesday, the Boncassens went, and then there
were none of the guests left but Mrs. Finn and