ked as she felt, flustered, and taken aback.

"It's so--sudden!" she pleaded, and blushed as she said the word. "I--I
don't approve of marrying in a rush. Only two months before he sails.
Suppose he regretted it? S-suppose he changed his mind?"

"It's for him to answer that question! Speak up, Antony! Are you
likely to change your mind? Do you feel any inclination to give up Miss
Clare now that you have got her to promise to take you for better for
worse?"

"I'm not given to changing my mind, sir," Antony said, discreetly
answering the last question but one. He rose hastily as he spoke,
evidently afraid lest his turn of cross-questioning was about to begin,
and said hurriedly: "Clare is tired, Uncle. She'll answer all your
questions later on. I'm going to take her into the garden for a little
fresh air, and then send her upstairs to rest."

So for the next half-hour Antony Maplestone and Juliet, alias Alice,
Clare, sat in a rose-shaded arbour, and discussed the plan of attack.
There was so much to be settled. It was like making up a play, and
coaching each other in the leading parts. Juliet was inclined to give
herself airs on the success of her first scene, and discovered with
surprise that her companion vouchsafed only a mitigated admiration.

"You must be very _used_ to it!" he said grudgingly whereupon Juliet
bridled, and declared:

"I'm not! It's the very first case I've had, when--All my experiences
so far, have been strictly business-like. I think you might give me
_some_ encouragement. I thought I was so clever!"

"You were, you were! Uncommonly clever, and I felt all sorts of a fool.
I'm not used to playing a part, and it comes harder than I expected.
It's a comfort to escape and feel that we can talk openly together!" He
stretched his arms, and drew a big sigh of relief. Juliet sighed too,
but not for the same reason.

"I think it might be a wise precaution," she said presently, "if I sent
my parents abroad to travel for several months! Mrs Maplestone spoke
of wishing to see them, and it would be awkward to produce a suitable
pair at a moment's notice. And dangerous! Think of the pitfalls that
would yawn before us over reminiscences of childhood? Perhaps they'd
better go for health! That would explain their leaving home just at
this time. We must send them to a foreign spa for a six-weeks' course.
Where shall they go?"

"Marienbad," Antony said promptly, whereon Juliet drew her