looked up, her eyes
swimming with tenderness. Neither spoke for a long minute, but words
were not needed to tell what the soul was saying through the eyes.

"I _do_ love you--you know I do, Connie. I've loved you from the first
day. I cannot live without you, Connie, darling, you won't keep me
waiting? You will be my wife--you will marry me at once? You _do_ love
me, I know--I've known it for days and days--"

She whimsically broke in upon his passionate declaration, saying with a
pretty petulance: "Oh, you have? What insufferable conceit! I--"

He laughed joyously. "I never was so sure of anything in my life," he
said. "You couldn't help loving me, Constance; I've loved you so. You
don't have to tell me, dear; I know. Still, I'd like to hear you say,
with those dear lips as well as with your eyes, that you love me."

She put her hand upon the back of the broad one which held the other
imprisoned; there was a proud, earnest light in her eyes. "I _do_ love
you," she said simply.

"God, but I'm a happy man," he exulted. Forgetful of the time and the
place, he half arose and, leaning forward, kissed her full upon the
upturned lips.

There was a rattling of chinaware behind them. In no little confusion
both came tumbling down from Paradise, and found themselves under the
abashed scrutiny of a very red-faced young serving-woman.

"Oh, never mind," stammered Gretchen quite amiably. "I am used to that,
madame. A great many ladies and gentlemen come here to--to--what you
call it?" She placed the tea and sandwiches before them, her fingers
all thumbs, her cheeks aglow.

Brock pulled himself together. Very sternly he said: "This young lady is
to be my wife."

"Ach," said Gretchen, with a friendly smile and the utmost deference,
"that is what they all say, mein Herr." Then, giggling approvingly, she
bustled away.

Brock waited until she was out of sight. "She seems to be onto us, as
Freddie would say. But what do we care? I'd like to stand on top of the
Bandjoch and shout the news to the world. Wouldn't you, dearest?"

"The world wouldn't hear us, dear," she said coolly. "Besides, it's
raining up there. Just look at it sweeping down upon us! Goodness!"

He laughed hilariously, amused by her attempt to be casual and
indifferent. "You can't turn it off so easily as that, dearest," he
cried. "Come! While it rains we may plan. You will marry me--to-morrow?"

"No!" she cried, aghast. "How utterly ridiculous!"

"Well, t