another reason why I should be in autocratic command over
myself when we marry.... It is difficult for me to explain to you.... Do
you remember that I wrote you once that I was--afraid to marry
you--_not_ for our own sakes?"

Her young face was grave and serious; she bent her gaze on her ringless
fingers.

"That," she said, "is the most vital and--sacred reason of all."

"Yes, dear." He did not dare to touch her, scarcely dared look at the
pure, thoughtful profile until she lifted her head and her fearless eyes
sought his.

And they smiled, unembarrassed, unafraid.

* * * * *

"Those people are deliberately leaving us here to spoon," she declared
indignantly. "I know perfectly well that dinner was announced ages ago!"
And, raising her voice: "Scott, you silly ninny! Where in the world are
you?"

Scott appeared with alacrity from the library, evidently detained there
in hunger and impatience by Kathleen, who came in a moment later, pretty
eyes innocently perplexed.

"I declare," she said, "it is nine o'clock and dinner is supposed to be
served at eight!" And she seemed more surprised than ever when old
Howker, who evidently had been listening off stage, entered with
reproachful dignity and announced that ceremony.

And it was the gayest kind of a ceremony, for they ate and chattered and
laughed there together as inconsequentially as four children, and when
Howker, with pomp and circumstance, brought in a roast boar's head
garnished with holly-like crimson elder, they all stood up and cheered
as though they really liked the idea of eating it. However, there was,
from the same animal, a saddle to follow the jowl, which everybody
tasted and only Scott really liked; and, to Duane's uneasy surprise,
great silver tankards of delicious home-brewed ale were set at every
cover except Geraldine's.

Catching his eye she shrugged slightly and smiled; and her engaging
glance returned to him at intervals, reassuring, humorously disdainful;
and her serenely amused smile seemed to say:

"My dear fellow, please enjoy your ale. There is not the slightest
desire on my part to join you."

"That isn't a very big wild boar," observed Scott, critically eyeing the
saddle.

"It's a two-year-old," admitted Geraldine. "I only shot him because Lacy
said we were out of meat."

"_You_ killed him!" exclaimed Duane.

She gave him a condescending glance; and Scott laughed.

"She and Miller save this