rew nurse Pigott,
that she actually poured some hot tea on to her dress, a thing she
could never remember having done before.

The first to enter was Aleck, who, following his custom, sprang upon
Angela and licked her hand, and behind Aleck, looking somewhat
confused, but handsome and happy--for his was one of those faces that
become handsome when their owners are happy--came Aleck's master. And
then there ensued an infinitesimal but most awkward pause.

On such occasions as the present, namely, the first meeting after an
engagement, there is always--especially when it occurs in the presence
of a third person--a very considerable difficulty in the minds of the
parties to know what demeanour they are to adopt towards one another.
Are they to treat the little affair of the previous evening as a kind
of confidential communication, not to be alluded to except in private
conversation, and to drop into the Mr. and Miss of yesterday? That
would certainly be the easiest, but then it would also be a decided
act of mutual retreat. Or are they to rush into each other's arms as
becomes betrothed lovers? This process is so new that they feel that
it still requires private rehearsal. And, meanwhile, time presses, and
everybody is beginning to stare, and something _must_ be done.

These were very much the feelings of Arthur and Angela. He hesitated
before her, confused, and she kept her head down over the dog. But
presently Aleck, getting bored, moved on, and, as it would have been
inane to continue to stare at the floor, she had to raise herself as
slowly as she might. Soon their eyes arrived in the same plane, and
whether a mutual glance of intelligence was exchanged, or whether
their power of attraction overcame his power of resistance, it is not
easy to determine, but certain it is that, following a primary natural
law, Arthur gravitated towards her, and kissed her on the face.

"My!" exclaimed Pigott, and the milk-jug rolled unheeded on the floor.

"Hum! I suppose I had better explain," began he.

"I think you have spilt the milk," added she.

"That we have become engaged and are----"

"All to pieces, I declare," broke in Angela, with her head somewhere
near the carpet.

And then they both laughed.

"Well, I never, no, not in all my born days! Sir and Miss Angela, all
I have got to say about this extraordinary proceeding"--they glanced
at each other in alarm--"is that I am very glad to hear on it, and I
hope and pray