cart, and a conservatory, and immaculate servants who do
everything they should do, and never need looking after. And we will
trot about together, and work and play, and do everything just exactly
as we like, and have no one to order us about. Think of it! We shall
be master and mistress--no one can interfere--no one can find fault. If
I forget all about dinner some fine day, there won't be a soul who will
have the right to blame me, or fly into a temper."

"Oh, won't there just! Don't make any mistake about that!" cried Rob.
"If you forget your duties, you will have me to reckon with, and I am
not too amiable when I'm hungry. It will be my business to help you to
overcome your failings, just as it will be yours to help me with mine."

"You haven't got any," said Peggy quickly. "At least--I mean, yes, you
have--lots--but I like them. They will keep mine company. No,
seriously, Rob, I'll try to be good. I made up my mind to-day that if
you came back safe, I would try with all my strength to be a better
girl, and overcome my careless ways. And now I have more reason than
before to persevere. I'll begin at once, and try so hard that by the
time we are married I shall be quite a staid, responsible housewife."

"Humph!" said Rob in ungrateful fashion. "Don't try too hard. I don't
want my Peggy altered out of recognition. There are thousands of staid,
responsible housewives in existence, but Peggy Savilles are rare. I
prefer her of the two."

"And yet you want to be rid of her! Poor, dear, little thing! If you
get your way, she won't be in existence much longer. How can you make
up your mind to be so cruel?"

"I shall love Peggy Darcy better," said Rob firmly, and at that Peggy
gave a gulp and relapsed into silence. Peggy _Darcy_! The name brought
with it a dozen thrilling reflections. Rosalind's sister, Hector's
sister, daughter to Lady Darcy, and the dear, kind old lord, and, oh,
most wonderful of all, Rob's wife! His partner for ever, in the truest
sense of the word! The sound of that eloquent word had thrilled through
Rob also, and silenced the word on his lips. His clasp tightened on
Peggy's fingers, and they walked hand in hand through the fields
together, in a blissful trance of happiness which has no need for
speech.

When the vicarage gates were reached the carriage was already in sight;
but Peggy hung back, and Rob called a passing direction to the coachman
to stop on his way back aft