d said, "I will willingly come
Edith, I know your good painting,--hark, there is four o'clock striking
now."

"So it is," said Edith pulling her hat more over her fringe.

Burke and Edith walked down the quiet little village in which both their
houses stood. At last they arrived at Edith's house which was much
prettier than Mrs. Molvern's.

"Don't you think," said Burke as he advanced to it with firm stride,
"that you had better ring the bell, as you have a visitor with you?"

"Oh, no," said Edith "my mother would be sure to say if she knew it was
I, that I was never to ring again, giving all that trouble to the
servants; it isn't as if you were alone."

"Very well," said Burke, "I only thought perhaps it was best."

Edith smiled at him as she went up the front door steps. She led him
into her pretty little bed-room to take off his things while she took
off hers.

"How very comfortable all looks" said Burke, "I feel quite inclined to
write a note at that pretty little table there."

"Oh indeed but you shan't," said Edith just beginning her snappy temper,
but Burke forgot to reply to her.

They then went down and had some tea and Burke much admired the pretty
tray of Edith's. They had for tea some cold ham (the remainder of the
luncheon) some toasted buns, a sago pudding, a dried bloater and a
couple of shrimps.

After this Edith threatened to hate Burke if he would not arrange about
the marriage.

"Look here, I wish you would talk of something else," said Burke, "I
have a good mind not to marry you at all."

But at this Edith clung so wretchedly to his knees that he had to say,
"well, to-morrow morning."

So that next morning Burke walked along down the village trying to make
out where his own dear Edith could be.

Just as he was thinking of going up to her house he saw Norah Mackie
and Evelyn Slattery coming along together.

"Your friend," they said chaffingly, "is picking some old geraniums in
the front garden."

Burke stared at them straight and putting out his tongue once or twice,
walked on to find his darling pet.

"I wish my sister Mary was here," echoed Evelyn, "she would soon strike
out at you." And they walked on grumbling at his impudence.

CHAPTER 2

MARRIAGE

"Well pretty dear," said Burke as he approached Edith's garden.

"Angel! I have been waiting for you to come and talk about the wedding."

"Yes I am perfectly settled," said Burke, and he began: "I have written
to