belonged to us." She added, musingly:
"I wonder how many hours of the future remain for us."

He answered in a low voice:

"That is for you to decide."

"I know it," she murmured. She lifted one ringless hand and still
without looking at him, pressed the third finger backward against his
lips.

"So much for the betrothal," she said. "My ring-finger is consecrated."

"Will you not wear any ring?" he asked.

"No. Your kiss is enough."

"Yet--if we are--are--"

"Engaged?" she suggested, calmly. "Yes, call it that. I really am
engaged to give myself to you--_ex cathedra--extra muros_."

"When?" he said under his breath.

"I don't know.... I must think. A girl who is going to break all
conventions ought to have time to consider the consequences--" She
smiled, faintly--"a little time to prepare herself for the--the great
change.... I think we ought to remain engaged for a while--don't you?"

"Dearest!" he broke out, pleadingly, "the old way _is_ the best way! I
cannot bear to take you--to have you promise yourself without formality
or sanction--"

"But I have already consented, Louis. _Volenti non fit injuria_," she
added with a faint smile. "_Voluntas non potest cogi_--dearest--dearest
of lovers! I love you dearly for what you offer me--I adore you for it.
And--_how_ long do you think you ought to wait for me?"

She disengaged herself from his arm, walked slowly toward the tall old
clock, turned her back to it and faced him with clear level eyes. After
a moment she laughed lightly:

"Did ever an engaged gentleman face the prospect of impending happiness
with such a long face as this suitor of mine is wearing!"

His voice broke in the protest wrung from his lips.

"You _must_ be my wife. I tell you! For God's sake marry me and let the
future take care of itself!"

"You say so many sweet, confusing, and foolish things to me, Louis,
that while you are saying them I almost believe them. And then that
clear, pitiless reasoning power of mine awakens me; and I turn my gaze
inward and read written on my heart that irrevocable law of mine, that
no unhappiness shall ever come to you through me."

Her face, sweetly serious, brightened slowly to a smile.

"Now I am going home, monsieur--home to think over my mad and incredible
promise to you ... and I'm wondering whether I'll wake up scared to
death.... Daylight is a chilly shower-bath. No doubt at all that I'll be
pretty well frightened over what I've said and