g sail and the fluttering pennon against the blue sky.

"Yes," answered Ellis, "I am sorry my holiday is coming to a close."

"I don't see why you should leave, although I am obliged to go."

"Oh, it will be quite time for me; everything jolly comes to an end
some time or other."

"True," said Cardo, with a sigh.

"Well, you heave a sigh, and you look as grave and solemn as any of
Essec Powell's congregation, and, upon my word, I don't see what you've
got to look so glum about. Here you are, engaged to the prettiest girl
in Wales; just going out for a year's travel and enjoyment before you
settle down as a married man in that idyllic thatched cottage up the
valley--a year to see the world in--and a devoted father (for he is
that, Cardo, in spite of his cold ways) waiting to greet you when you
come back. And Valmai Powell following every step you take with her
loving and longing thoughts. No, no, Cardo; you have nothing to pull
such a long face about. On the contrary, as I have said before, you
are a lucky dog." (Cardo grunted.) "Besides, you are not obliged to
go. It seems to me rather a quixotic affair altogether, and yet, by
Jove! there is something in it that appeals to the poetic side of my
nature. You will earn your father's undying gratitude, and in the
first gush of his happiness you will gain his consent to your marriage
with Valmai. Not a bad--rather a clever little programme."

"Oh, it is all very well for you to talk like that, Ellis; but nothing
you say can lessen the bitterness of parting from Valmai. It is my own
wish to go, and nothing shall prevent me; but I could bear the
separation with much more fortitude if only--"

And he stopped and looked landwards, where the indistinct grey blur was
beginning to take the pattern of fields and cliffs and beach.

"If what?" said Ellis, shifting the sail a little.

"If only I were married to Valmai."

"Phew! what next?" said Ellis, "married! Cardo Wynne, you are bringing
things to a climax. My dear fellow, it would be far harder to part
from a wife of a week than from a sweetheart of a year. That's my idea
of wedded bliss, you see."

"Nonsense; it would not!" said Cardo. "It would give me a sense of
security--a feeling that, come fair or come foul, nothing could really
come between me and Valmai; and besides, I should not want her to be
the wife of a week--I should be satisfied to be married even on the
morning of my departure. Come, Ellis