, "O Betty--forgive me!"

"And there met him a lady so frolic and gay
Singing, heigho, all loving is folly."

"Betty, I--O my dear love--my lady," he stammered, "I know that my
offence is great--very heinous. I have wronged you in thought and in
word--I should have known you were the sweet soul God made you. But
I--I am only a very ordinary man, very blind, very unworthy and, I fear
but ill-suited to one so young--but indeed I do love you better than my
life so may Love plead my forgiveness. But if I have sinned too
grievously, if forgiveness is impossible then will I very humbly--

"So he lighted him down and he louted him low
Singing heigho, be not melancholy,
And he kissed her white hand and her red mouth also
Singing heigho, love's quarrels are folly."

She stood waiting--waiting for the swift tread of feet behind her, for
the masterful passion of his clasping arms, for his pleading kisses;
instead, she heard him sigh and limp heavily to the door. Then she
turned to face him and, being disappointed, grew angry and disdainful.

"Major d'Arcy," she cried, "O Major d'Arcy--what a runaway coward you
are!"

He paused and stood regarding her wistfully and lo! as he looked her
mocking glance wavered and fell, her lip quivered and almost in that
instant he had her in his arms; but now, even now, when she lay all
soft and tremulous in his embrace, he must needs stay to humbly plead
her forgiveness, and then--Sir Benjamin Tripp's voice was heard in the
hall beyond:

"Od's body, I do protest Dalroyd can be almost offensive at times!"

When the door opened Major d'Arcy stood staring blindly out of the
window his clenched fists thrust deep into the pockets of the
dove-coloured coat, and my lady, seated afar, frowned at her dainty
shoe; next moment she had risen and was greeting the company all smiles
and gaiety.

"Dear my lady," cried Sir Benjamin, bowing over her white hand with
elaborate grace, "your most submissive humble! Major d'Arcy
sir--yours! Sweet Madam, most beauteous Queen of Hearts, you behold us
hither come, rival's one and all for your sweet graces, yet rivals
united in hem! in worship of Our Admirable Betty!"

At this was a loud hum of approval with much graceful bending of backs,
shooting of ruffles and tapping of snuff-boxes.

"Here in bowery Westerham," continued Sir Benjamin, laced handkerchief
gracefully a-flutter, "here in this smiling countryside celebrated
alike for hem