ng the heavy father, and giving away the bride," he
said. And then he told her what he had advised.

"You want to have it over," she said, looking at him with her soft,
serious eyes.

"To tell the truth, I believe I do."

"It is hard on you, now."

"Not a bit," said Percival, taking a seat beside her. "I ought not to
mind. If I were Luttrell, I probably should glory in self-sacrifice, and
say I didn't mind. Unfortunately I do. But nothing will drive me to say
that it is hard. All's fair in love and war. Brian has proved himself
the better man."

"Not the stronger man," said Angela, almost involuntarily.

"You think not? I don't think I have been strong! I have been wretchedly
weak sometimes. Ah, there they come; they have settled it between them.
They look bright, don't they?"

Angela made no answer, she felt a little indignant with Brian and
Elizabeth for looking bright. It was decidedly inconsiderate towards
Percival.

But Percival made no show of his wound to anybody except Angela. He
seemed heartily glad when he heard that Elizabeth had consented to the
speedy marriage in London, he was as cheerful in manner as usual, he
held his head high, and ate and drank and laughed in his accustomed way.
Even Elizabeth was deceived, and thought he was cured of his love for
her. But the restless gleam of his eye and the dark fold between his
brow, in spite of his merriment, told a different tale to the two who
understood him best--Brian and Angela.

The marriage took place from Rupert's house, according to Percival's
suggestion. It was a quiet wedding, and the guests were very various in
quality. Mr. Heron came from Scotland for the occasion, Rupert and his
sister, Mrs. Norman, Captain Somers and the two seamen--Jackson and
Mason, were all present. Percival alone did not come. He had said
nothing about his intention of staying away, but sent a note of excuse
at the last moment. He had resumed his newspaper work, and a sudden call
upon him required instant attention. Elizabeth was deeply disappointed.
She had looked upon his presence at her wedding as the last assurance of
his forgiveness, and she and Brian both felt that something was lacking
from their felicity when Percival did not come.

They started for Scotland as soon as the wedding was over, and it was
not until the following week that Brian received a bulky letter which
had been waiting for him at the place where he had directed Dino Vasari
to address his le