e answer--

"How long ago? I don't know! But I _am_ her champion, now and for
ever, if she will have me!"

"Rayner! What is this? You cannot possibly be in earnest?"

Herbert Rayner laughed shortly. No one could look at him for a moment
and doubt that he was deeply in earnest, but there was a bitter ring in
his laughter which showed that he misunderstood the reason of his
friend's surprise.

"I don't wonder that you are astonished! A fine lover I am--am I not,
to dare to aspire to a bright young girl?"

"My dear fellow, you misunderstood me. I know to what you refer, but
that never even entered my mind. What I can't realise is that you can
possibly entertain any feeling of the kind for Hilary. You! If I ever
thought of your possible marriage it was always with some clever,
charming woman of the world who would help you with your work, and enter
into your plans. Hilary is a mere girl. She has no special ability of
any kind--"

"No?"

"Not the slightest literary gift!"

"No."

"Absolutely ignorant of your world."

"Yes."

"You are ten years older than she is."

"Yes."

"Well--well--well--"

"Well, Bertrand, we can't argue about these things. There it is, and I
can't account for it. I want Hilary, and I don't want the `clever,
charming woman.' She satisfies me, and--"

"Have you spoken to her?"

"Certainly not! I don't know that I should have ever summoned up
courage to speak to you, if you had not taken me by surprise. It would
be different if I were now as I was ten years ago, but I feared you
might think my health an insuperable objection."

"No--no! I can't say that--if you have really set your heart on it.
How long has this been going on?"

Mr Rayner smiled--a quick, whimsical smile, which was like a flash of
sunshine.

"Well, you have heard the story of the scarlet slippers? That evening,
after you left, I went to look for them behind the curtains, and
smuggled them downstairs beneath my coat. I don't know what possessed
me to do it, but I did, and I have them still!"

Mr Bertrand threw back his head with a burst of laughter.

"Oh, after that! If you have got the length of treasuring worsted
slippers, there is no more to be said. Rayner, my dear fellow, I
suppose I ought to be distressed, but I believe I am--uncommonly pleased
and proud! Little Hilary! It would be delightful to feel that you were
one of us. And have you any idea as to whether she cares for you in