nd reveal frightening starkness is an
act from which he shrinks with all the modesty of a (perhaps) deluded
sex. I took courage. "I want," I repeated, "to put things clearly
before you. You are marrying this young man. You will have a week's
married life. He goes away like a gallant fellow to fight for his
country. He may be killed in the course of the next few weeks. Like a
brave girl you've got to face it. In the course of time a child may be
born--without a father to look after him. It's a terrific
responsibility."

She knelt upright and put both her hands on my shoulders, almost
embracing me, and the laughter died away from her eyes, giving place to
something which awakened memories of what I had seen once or twice in
the eyes of the dearest of all women. She put her face very close to
mine and whispered:

"Don't you see, dear, it's in some sort of way because of that? Don't
you think it would be awful for a strong, clean, brave English life
like his to go out without leaving behind him someone to--well, you
know what I mean--to carry on the same traditions--to be the same clean
brave Englishman in the future?"

I smiled and nodded. Quite a different kind of nod from the previous
one.

"Thousands of girls are doing it, you dear old Early Victorian, and
aren't ashamed to say so to those who really love and can understand
them. And you do love and understand, don't you?"

She set me off at arm's length, and held me with her bright unflinching
eyes.

"I do, my dear," said I. "But there's only one thing that troubles me.
Marriage is a lifelong business. Captain Connor may win through to a
green old age. I hope to God the gallant fellow will. Your present
motives are beautiful and heroic. But do you care for him sufficiently
to pass a lifetime with him--after the war--an ordinary, commonplace
lifetime?"

With the same clear gaze full on me she said:--

"Didn't I tell you that I had given him my love?"

"You did."

"Then," she retorted with a smile, "my dear Major Didymus, what more do
you want?"

"Nothing, my dear Betty."

I kissed her. She threw her arms round my neck and kissed me again.
Sergeant Marigold entered on the sentimental scene and preserved a face
of wood. Betty rose to her feet slowly and serenely and smiled at
Marigold.

"Miss Fairfax's car," he announced.

"Marigold," said I, "Miss Fairfax is going to be married the day after
to-morrow to Captain Connor of the--"

"I know, sir," int