kiss of consecration.

* * * * *

A few minutes more, and then, with the Eighth Prelude swaying and
dancing round them, they went hand in hand down the long approach to the
music-room.

The door was open, and they saw the persons inside. Otto and Sorell were
walking up and down smoking cigarettes. The boy was radiant,
transformed. All look of weakness had disappeared; he held himself
erect; his shock of red-gold hair blazed in the firelight, and his eyes
laughed, as he listened silently, playing with his cigarette. Sorell
evidently was thinking only of him; but he too wore a look of
quiet pleasure.

Only Mrs. Mulholland sat watchful, her face turned towards the open
door. It wore an expression which was partly excitement, partly doubt.
Her snow-white hair above her very black eyes, and her frowning, intent
look, gave her the air of an old Sibyl watching at the cave's mouth.

But when she saw the two--the young man and the girl--coming towards
her, hand in hand, she first peered at them intently, and then, as she
rose, all the gravity of her face broke up in laughter.

"Hope for the best, you foolish old woman!" she said to herself--"'Male
and female made He them!'--world without end--Amen!"

"Well?" She moved towards them, as they entered the room; holding out
her hands with a merry, significant gesture.

Otto and Sorell turned. Connie--crimson--threw herself on Mrs.
Mulholland's neck and kissed her. Falloden stood behind her, thinking of
a number of things to say, and unable to say any of them.

The last soft notes of the Prelude ceased.

It was for Connie to save the situation. With a gentle, gliding step,
she went across to Otto, who had gone very white again.

"Dear Otto, you told me I should marry Douglas, and I'm going to. That's
one to you. But I won't marry him--and he agrees--unless you'll promise
to come to Algiers with us a month from now. You'll lend him to us,
won't you?"--she turned pleadingly to Sorell--"we'll take such care of
him. Douglas--you may be surprised!--is going to read law at Biskra!"

Otto sank into a chair. The radiance had gone. He looked very frail and
ghostly. But he took Connie's outstretched hand.

"I wish you joy," he said, stumbling painfully over the words. "I do
wish you joy!--with all my heart."

Falloden approached him. Otto looked up wistfully. Their eyes met, and
for a moment the two men were conscious only of each other.

Mrs. Mu