nd if I know anything of Mr. and Mrs. Copley,
where you must be, they will choose to be also. I think I can get
another week or two of leave, so that it will not seem so very sudden."

Dolly had flushed and paled a little. She sat looking on the ground in
silence. Mr. Shubrick let her have a while to herself, and then asked
her what she thought of his plan?

"I don't know," said Dolly faintly. "I mean," she added,--"perhaps it
is the best way. I don't know but it is the only way. I don't believe
mother will like it."

"We will talk her over," said the young officer joyfully. "You said
_she_ wishes to go home?"

"Oh yes. And I think she will come over to our side, when she knows the
reasons."

Sandie bent down and reverently kissed the hand he held.

"Then"---- said Dolly, on whose cheek the flushes were coming and
going,--but she did not finish her sentence.

"Then, what?"

"I was thinking to ask, how soon or when you expect your ship to go
home?"

"I do not know certainly. Probably I shall be ordered home before
Christmas; but it may not be till January."

Dolly was silent again.

"If our plan is carried out, _you_ will go sooner, will you not?"

"Oh, immediately. As soon as possible."

"In that case you will be there before I shall. I told you, I have
nobody very nearly belonging to me; but there is a cousin--a sort of
cousin--living in the place; Mrs. Armitage; I will send her word to
open the house and get it in some sort of order for us."

Both were silent again for a space, and I think not only one was happy.
For Dolly knew the plan would work. But she was struggling besides with
a thought which she wanted, and did not want, to speak. It must come
out! or Dolly would not have been Dolly.

"Mr. Shubrick"---- she began.

"What?" said he eagerly; for Dolly's tone showed that there was a good
deal behind it.

"Would you--I was thinking"----

"About what?"

"The house. Would you--trust _me?_ I mean, of course, if we are there
before you?"

A flood of colour rushed over Dolly's face.

"Trust you?" he said with a bright light in his eyes. "What am I going
to do all my life? Trust you to put your own house in order? I cannot
think of anything I should like quite so well. What a delightful
thought, Dolly!"

"I should like it," said Dolly shyly.

"Then, instead of writing to Mrs. Armitage to open the house, I will
send her an order to deliver the key to Mrs. Shubrick."

He liked to watch ho