tell us, dear child, how did it happen, and what did you do, and
where did you meet!" said Lady Merrenden.

Robert held my hand.

Then I tried to tell them as well as I could, and they listened
breathlessly. "I was very rude, I fear," I ended with, "but I was so
angry."

"It is glorious," said Robert. "But the best part is that you intended to
give me yourself with no prospect of riches. Oh, darling, that is the best
gift of all!"

"Was it disgustingly selfish of me?" I said. "But when I saw your poor
brother so unhappy-looking, and soured, and unkind, with all his
grandeur, I felt that to us, who know what love means, to be together was
the thing that matters most in all the world."

Lady Merrenden then said she knew some people staying here who had an
apartment on the first floor, and she would go down and see if they were
visible. She would wait for Robert in the hall, she said, and she kissed
us good-night and gave us her blessing.

What a dear she is! What a nice pet, to leave us alone!

Robert and I passed another hour of bliss, and I think we must have got to
the sixth heaven by now--Robert says the seventh is for the end, when we
are married. Well, that will be soon. Oh, I am too happy to write
coherently!

I did not wake till late this morning, and Veronique came and said my
sitting-room was again full of flowers. The darling Robert is!

I wrote to Christopher and Lady Ver in bed, as I sipped my chocolate. I
just told Lady Ver the truth, that Robert and I had met by chance and
discovered we loved each other, so I knew she would understand, and I
promised I would not break his heart. Then I thanked her for all her
kindness to me, but I felt sad when I read it over; poor, dear Lady
Ver--how I hope it won't really hurt her, and that she will forgive me!

To Christopher I said I had found my "variation" worth while, and I hoped
he would come to my wedding some day soon.

Then I sent Veronique to post them both.

To-day I am moving to Carlton House Terrace. What a delight that will be!
and in a fortnight--or at best three weeks--Robert says we shall quietly
go and get married, and Colonel Tom Carden can give me away after all.

Oh, the joy of the dear, beautiful world, and this sweet, dirty,
entrancing, fog-bound London! I love it all--even the smuts!

CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE,

_Thursday n