couldn't they go on for ever in this flat as they were now,
sufficient unto themselves, she and the children?

She returned to her book by the fire. And while she read on deeper
into the love-story, absorbed and credulous in spite of herself, the
front door bell rang.

Julia and Desmond Rokeby came in with a great air of mystery and
jubilation. They walked with the rich expectancy of people treading
golden streets, and though they came up to Marie, captured and
embraced her, laughed, and began relevant explanations both together,
their eyes looked through her, away and beyond her, and she had a
sense of being right outside their scheme for ever and evermore.

Loneliness assailed her rather bleakly as she stood with a smiling
mouth, gazing from one to the other and trying to gather the gist of
their news.

"We know you'll be awfully surprised," Julia cried, treating her to
squeezes of nervous rapture, "but--"

"Now, darling," said Rokeby, "let me. You see, Marie, we've gone and
done for ourselves. May we sit down with you just a moment while I
tell you? I knew that Julia--"

"He was so stupid about it," said Julia, glowing.

"Don't cut in and spoil the story, dearest," he urged. "I knew she'd
never make up her mind really to get married, you know, Marie, so this
afternoon I met her coming out of the office, drove her to a church
where all arrangements had been made, took one of those handy permits
out of my pocket--a special licence, you know--and--"

"You're married," said Marie Kerr in rather a dull way which
disappointed them both.

"We are."

"After all, Marie," said Julia breathlessly, "don't you think it's the
nicest way; without any fuss and premeditation, and bridesmaids, and
cake and things? Just our two selves."

"It was splendid," said Rokeby. "I'm the first man I know who ever
really enjoyed his wedding."

Marie sat between them and held a hand of each; after a while she
answered:

"I do congratulate you both; it's all so exciting and romantic. Oh! I
do hope you'll always be very happy."

"Thank you, dear," Julia beamed.

"We know we shall always be very happy," said Rokeby.

"And now?" Marie asked with an effort.

"We're going honeymooning," said the bridegroom.

Again she sat silent, keeping the smile upon her lips.

"Where are you going?" she asked by and by. "We went to Bournemouth.
We had such a delightful time..."

"Our plans are uncertain," said Rokeby.

"That means you ar