d.

"Please take me seriously for once," said Cairns. "I don't want you to
go away from Grey Town if I can keep you here."

Molly had fixed her hair up in haste. It formed a great tower on her
head, for she needed time to arrange it in order. Slowly dawning
surprise crept into her eyes as he spoke, surprise with perhaps a not
unnatural triumph.

"I really believe you are in earnest," she said; "but I can't understand
it. They call me 'plain Molly Healy,' and I believe it from what the
glass tells me."

"In my eyes you are beautiful," he replied.

"No blarney, if you please," she said. "I don't love you, and that is a
fact, Mr. Cairns. But I will think of you--and perhaps--that is, if you
don't find someone else in the meantime--when I come back----."

"How soon will that be?" he asked.

"A matter of three years."

"Three years!" he groaned; "an eternity to wait. I will give you three
months to think about it; then I will come to Melbourne and ask again."

"And what will Mother Superioress say to me with a young man?"

"Oh, blow--I mean, never mind the Mother Superioress. Quirk tells me she
is delightfully human, and as sympathetic as you are," replied Cairns.

"Sympathetic? Sure, you must be in love to believe that of me. I am as
hard as flint. But come if you like, and bring me a big box of
chocolates. Will you now?"

"I intend to bring a ring with me. What stones do you like best?"

"Emeralds, to be sure, and diamonds. But don't be spending your money
until you are sure of me. I may be taking the veil myself."

"If you do I shall destroy myself," said Cairns.

"Would you do that for me?" she cried eagerly. "How would you do it?"

"Oh, poison, or possibly a razor. But there will be no need for that."

"And do you really love me--me, Molly Healy? I don't understand it. I am
plain and untidy, with never an accomplishment to my name. If I had
money I could see a reason for it. Why do you love me?" she asked.

"Because you are Molly Healy, cheerful, light-hearted and kind," he
answered.

"I intend to think of you all night and every night. I can't think of
you and be neglecting the day's work. But, perhaps, after three months,
I may be willing to consider the ring. Now be off with you, for I am
busy. You may kiss my hand, and here is a rose for you. Good-bye, Mr.
Cairns, for three months. Sure, I will miss you."

To Kathleen O'Connor Molly confided Cairns' proposal.

"I don't understand it," she si