t was so delicious (after all I have gone through) to have two
magnificent men, out of the heroic youth of the world, waiting hand and
foot on one little woman, that the feminine soul in me to-day couldn't
resist the temptation to an innocent effort at coquetry.

So before we began business on the proofs I told Martin that, if he was
determined to leave me behind at winter quarters while he went away to
the Pole, he must allow Dr. O'Sullivan to remain behind to take care of
me.

Of course the doctor rose to my bait like a dear, crying:

"He will too--by St. Patrick and St. Thomas he will, and a mighty proud
man he'll be entirely. . . ."

But good gracious! A momentary shadow passed over Martin's face, then
came one of his big broad smiles, then out shot his clinched fist, and
. . . the poor doctor and his garden seat were rolling over each other on
the grass.

However, we got through without bloodshed, and did good day's work on
the book.

I must not write any more. I have always written in my own book at
night, when I haven't been able to get any kind of Christian sleep; but
I'm weaker now, so must stop, lest I shouldn't have strength enough for
Martin's.

* * * * *

JULY 20. Oh dear! I am dragging all these other poor dears into my
deceptions. Christian Ann does not mind what lies, or half-lies, she has
to tell in order to save pain to her beloved son. But the old doctor!
And Father Dan!

To-day itself, as Martin's mother would say, I had to make my poor old
priest into a shocking story-teller.

I developed a cough a few weeks ago, and though it is not really of much
account I have been struggling to smother it while Martin has been
about, knowing he is a doctor himself, and fearing his ear might detect
the note.

But this afternoon (whether a little damp, with a soft patter of sweet
rain on the trees and the bushes) I had a rather bad bout, at which
Martin's face looked grave, until I laughed and said:

"It's nothing! I've had this sort of cough every summer since I was
born--haven't I, Father Dan?"

"Ye-es."

I shall have to remember that in my next confession, but what Father Dan
is to do I really don't know.

* * * * *

JULY 21. I have been rather down to-day about a newspaper that came to
me anonymously from Paris, with a report marked for my special
delectation.

"FASHIONABLE MARRIAGE OF AN ENGLISH PEER AND AN AMERICAN HEIRESS.