and
she cried a little and said it was a folly."

Her mistress smiled and took the yellow envelope. She tore it open and
carried it to the lamp; then, when the door had closed again, she
handed the telegram to Archer.

It was dated from St. Augustine, and addressed to the Countess Olenska.
In it he read: "Granny's telegram successful. Papa and Mamma agree
marriage after Easter. Am telegraphing Newland. Am too happy for
words and love you dearly. Your grateful May."

Half an hour later, when Archer unlocked his own front-door, he found a
similar envelope on the hall-table on top of his pile of notes and
letters. The message inside the envelope was also from May Welland,
and ran as follows: "Parents consent wedding Tuesday after Easter at
twelve Grace Church eight bridesmaids please see Rector so happy love
May."

Archer crumpled up the yellow sheet as if the gesture could annihilate
the news it contained. Then he pulled out a small pocket-diary and
turned over the pages with trembling fingers; but he did not find what
he wanted, and cramming the telegram into his pocket he mounted the
stairs.

A light was shining through the door of the little hall-room which
served Janey as a dressing-room and boudoir, and her brother rapped
impatiently on the panel. The door opened, and his sister stood before
him in her immemorial purple flannel dressing-gown, with her hair "on
pins." Her face looked pale and apprehensive.

"Newland! I hope there's no bad news in that telegram? I waited on
purpose, in case--" (No item of his correspondence was safe from
Janey.)

He took no notice of her question. "Look here--what day is Easter this
year?"

She looked shocked at such unchristian ignorance. "Easter? Newland!
Why, of course, the first week in April. Why?"

"The first week?" He turned again to the pages of his diary,
calculating rapidly under his breath. "The first week, did you say?"
He threw back his head with a long laugh.

"For mercy's sake what's the matter?"

"Nothing's the matter, except that I'm going to be married in a month."

Janey fell upon his neck and pressed him to her purple flannel breast.
"Oh Newland, how wonderful! I'm so glad! But, dearest, why do you
keep on laughing? Do hush, or you'll wake Mamma."

Book II

XIX.

The day was fresh, with a lively spring wind full of dust. All the old
ladies in both families had got out their faded sables and yellowing
ermines