Herbert when our steamer stopped at Port Said. He had been in
Abyssinia--you know that?"

"I knew that."

"I talked with him for an hour," said Ella. "He told me a great deal
about you--about your parting from him. You will write those words to
him before I leave this room."

Phyllis shook her head.

"Oh, yes, you will, when I tell you what I did not tell him--when I tell
you that George Holland and I have agreed that our positions as joint
trustees of the New Church will be immeasurably strengthened if we are
married."

"What?"

Phyllis had risen.

"We are to be married in three months. The matter is, of course, to
remain a secret--people are so given to talk."

Phyllis fell into her arms and kissed her tearfully--but the tears were
not all her own.

"Now you will write those words," said Ella.

Phyllis ran to a little French escritoire and snatched up a sheet of
paper.

"Come to me, my beloved," she wrote upon it; then she leaned her face
upon her arm, weeping happily.

Ella came behind her. She picked up the paper and folded it up. She
pressed the bell.

"Please give that to Mr. Courtland in the study," she said to the
servant.

Phyllis sprang up with a cry.

"I forgot to tell you, my dearest, that I brought back Herbert Courtland
in that steamer with me, and that he came with me to-day. He is coming
to you--listen--three steps at a time."

And that was just how he did come to her.

"Bless my soul!" cried Mr. Ayrton, ten minutes later. "Bless my soul! I
always fancied that----Ah, after all, what is marriage?"

"Oh!" cried Phyllis.

"The last word that can be said regarding it is that marriage is the
picturesque gateway leading to the commonplace estate."

"Oh!" cried Phyllis

End of Project Gutenberg's Phyllis of Philistia, by Frank Frankfort Moore

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