ent to make a will. What is this Nellie tells me?
You are going to Europe?"

"Going to Europe. I am a restless, dissatisfied sort of mortal, I begin
to think--never so happy as when on the wing. Mr. Darcy's death cut
short my continental tour before; I shall make a prolonged one this
time."

He was very grave and pale; even she noted the pallor now.

"You are looking ill," she said, drawing closer to him; "there is
nothing the matter, I hope?"

"Nothing, thank you. How long do you propose remaining away?"

"Three years at the least."

There was a moment's silence. Norine broke it.

"You said just now your trip to Baltimore was to make a will. I sent for
you this morning on that same errand; I am going to make my will."

He lifted his eyes and looked at her.

"Your will!" he repeated.

"My will. No, don't look anxious, dear friend; I don't think I am going
to die. Only, when one intends to spend three years upon steamers and
express trains, one may as well be on the safe side. If anything should
happen, it is well to be able to give an account of one's stewardship. I
want to provide for Helen and the children. Helen may not need any help
of mine"--the steady, sweet tones shook a little--"but it belongs of
right to the children. Once it was to have been all their father's. I
shall only be giving them back what is rightly theirs. I wish to leave
all I have to them. To-morrow, Mr. Gilbert, if you are not busy, I will
go to your office and make my will."

Then there was a long, strange pause. In her own room adjoining, Helen
Thorndyke sang softly as she moved about. The sweet, soft words came
clearly to them as they stood there:

"Jenny kissed me when we met,
Jumping from the chair she sat in.
Time, you thief! who loved to get
Sweets into your list, put that in.
Say I'm weary, say I'm sad,
Say that health and wealth have missed me.
Say I'm growing old, but add--
Jenny kissed me!"

Mr. Gilbert was the first to break the spell of silence.

"You are quite right," he said. "It can do no harm, only--it will be
trouble taken for nothing. You will pass unscathed the fiery ordeal of
steamers and express trains, and," with a smile, "one day you will marry
again and make to-morrow's legal work null and void."

"I will never marry."

She said it gravely, and a little coldly. He was watching her--her eyes
were steadfastly fixed upon the fire.

"Never marry?" he echoed, sti