ad not heard of Dino's death when Percival left England.

"If I were you," Percival went on, "I should not stand on ceremony. I
should get a special licence in London and marry her at once. You'll
have a bother about settlements and provisions and compromises without
end, if you don't."

Brian smiled, and even coloured a little at the proposition. "I could
not ask her to do it," he said.

"Then I'll ask her," said Percival with his inimitable _sang-froid_. "In
the very nick of time, here she comes. Mademoiselle, I was talking about
you."

Elizabeth smiled. The colour had come back to her cheeks, the brightness
to her eyes. She was the incarnation of splendid health and happiness.
Percival looked from her to Brian, remarking silently the gravity and
nobleness of his expression and the singular refinement of his features,
which could be seen so much more plainly, now that he had returned to
his old fashion of wearing a moustache and small pointed beard, instead
of the disfiguring mass of hair with which he had once striven to
disguise his face. Percival was clean shaven, except for the heavy,
black moustache, which he fingered as he spoke.

"You are my children by adoption," he said, cheerfully, "and I am going
to speak to you as a grandfather might. Elizabeth, my opinion is, that
if you want to avoid vexatious delays, you had better get married to
this gentleman here before you present yourself in Scotland at all. You
have no idea how much it would simplify matters. Brian won't suggest
such a thing; he is afraid you will think that he wants to make ducks
and drakes of your money----"

"His money," said Elizabeth.

"Well, his or yours, or that Italian fellow's--I don't see that it
matters much. Why don't you stop in London, get a special licence, and
be married from Vivian's house? I know he would be delighted."

"It is easy to make the suggestion," said Brian, "but perhaps Elizabeth
would not like such haste."

"I will do what you like," said Elizabeth.

"Let me congratulate you," remarked Percival to Brian; "you are about to
marry that treasure amongst wives--a woman who tries to please you and
not herself. Well, I have broken the ice, settle the matter as you
please."

"No, Percival, don't go," said Elizabeth. But he laughed, shook his
head, and left them to themselves.

As usual he went to Angela, and allowed himself to look as gloomy as he
chose. She asked him what was the matter.

"I have been playi