know thee more is to love thee
more. You think me over-young, I know, light-thoughted, belike and
careless, but in her heart a woman is ever older than a man, and,
despite my seeming heedlessness your Betty is methinks much the woman
you would have her be."

"Aye, truly," he answered, "the sweetest, the loveliest, noblest woman,
I do think, in all this big world!" But when he would have caught her
to him again she, blushing, laughing, stayed him to straighten lacy
mob-cap and pat rebellious curls with hands a little tremulous, then,
sitting down, crossed slim feet demurely and motioned him beside her.

"'Deed, sir," she sighed, "you do make love to perfection! And
yet--your love is so--so wonderful that I grow a little fearful lest I
prove unworthy----"

"Ah, never!" he cried, drawing her hands to his lips.

"Such love doth make me very humble, Jack dear, 'tis all so different,
so reverent and yet also 'tis a little--fierce!" she whispered,
yielding to his compelling arms.

"Nay, am I so?" he asked, anxiously, his hold relaxing.

"Ele-mentally!" she murmured, pillowing cheek on plum-coloured velvet
regardless of lace cap. "Yet methinks I do--love such ferocity!"

"O Betty, when will you wed me?"

"O John, here is a question to ponder. First, when would you have me?"

"To-day! To-morrow! Soon!"

"O impatient youth!" she murmured. "Second, shall your wife enjoy all
liberty?"

"So much as she desire," he answered tenderly.

"Third, shall she live in town i' the season, attend balls, theatres,
routs, card-parties, masquerades, drums and the like?"

"If she so wish," said he, a little sadly; perceiving which, she
nestled closer to him.

"Fourth, will you swear to be a husband _a la mode_?"

"What may that be?" he enquired.

"Will you be very polite to your wife and seldom intrude upon her
privacy as is the modish custom, will you keep separate establishments,
will you----"

"By heaven--no!" exclaimed the Major; whereat, and very suddenly, she
kissed him.

"Indeed I do think you will make almost as good a husband as lover!"
she sighed. "And--Major Jack, dear--if you would wed me soon----"

"Nay sweet," he broke in, "here was a selfish thought! You are so
young----

"A ripe woman of twenty-two, sir!"

"But youth loveth freedom, my Betty, so shall you enjoy it while you
will and come to me--when you will!"

"Nay, dear, foolish John, you do speak as you were a prison! What is
maiden free