not!" she declared, with vehemence. "I'm not such a donkey! No,
Knight Errant, I'm only afraid for you."

"I don't quite grasp your meaning," he said.

With an effort she explained.

"You see, you don't know me very well--not nearly so well as I know
you."

"I know you well enough to be fond of you, Chirpy," he said.

"That is just because you don't know me," she said, her voice quivering
a little. "You wouldn't like me for long, Knight Errant. Men never do."

"More fools they," said the knight errant, with somewhat unusual
emphasis. "It's their loss, anyway."

She laughed a little.

"It's very nice of you to say so, but it doesn't alter the fact.
Besides--" She paused.

"Besides--" said Rivington.

She looked at him suddenly.

"What about that nice little woman who may turn up some day?"

The humorous corner of Rivington's mouth went up.

"I think she has, Chirpy," he said. "To tell you the honest truth, I've
been thinking so for some time."

"You really want to marry me?" Ernestine looked him straight in the
eyes. "It isn't--only--a chivalrous impulse?"

He met her look quite steadily.

"No," he said quietly; "it isn't--only--that."

Her eyes fell away from his.

"I haven't any money, you know," she said.

"Never mind about the money," he answered cheerily. "I have a little,
enough to keep us from starvation. I can make more. It will do me good
to work. It's settled, then? You'll have me?"

"If--if you are sure--" she faltered. Then impulsively, "Oh, it's
hateful to feel that I've thrown myself at your head!"

His hand closed upon hers with a restraining pressure.

"You mustn't say those things to me, Chirpy," he said quietly; "they
hurt me. Now let me tell you my plans. Do you know what I did when I got
back to town the other day? I went and bought a special marriage
licence. You see, I wanted to marry you even then, and I hoped that
before very long I should persuade you to have me. As soon as I got your
telegram, I went off and purchased a wedding-ring. I hope it will fit.
But, anyhow, it will serve our present purpose. Will you drive with me
into Rington to-morrow and marry me there?"

She was listening to him in wide-eyed amazement.

"So soon?" she said.

"I thought it would save any further trouble," he answered. "But it is
for you to decide."

"And--and what should we do afterwards?" she asked, stooping to pick up
her straw that had fallen to the ground.

"That, again, would