ion was so strong that he lived for quite twelve
months after his return to his home, and died unexpectedly in his sleep.
Diana was not sorry when he passed so easily away, for death was a
merciful release of his tortured soul from his worn-out body. So Mark
Vrain died, and was buried, and after the funeral Diana went abroad,
with Miss Priscilla Barbar for a companion.

In the meantime, Lucian stayed in grimy, smoky London, and worked hard
at his profession. He was beginning to be known, and in time actually
received a brief or two, with which he did his best in court. Still, he
was far from being the successful pleader he hoped to be, for law, of
all professions, is one which demands time and industry for the
attainment of any degree of excellence. It is rarely that a young
lawyer can go to sleep and wake to find himself famous; he must crawl
rather than run. With diligence and punctuality, and observance of every
chance, in time the wished-for goal is reached, although that goal, in
nine cases out of ten, is a very moderate distance off. Lucian did not
sigh for a judgeship, or for a seat on the Woolsack; he was content to
be a barrister with a good practice, and perhaps a Q.C.-ship in
prospect. However, during the year of Diana's mourning he did so well
that he felt justified in asking her to marry him when she returned.
Diana, on her side, saw no obstacle to this course, so she consented.

"If you are not rich, my dear, I am," she said, when Lucian alleged his
poverty as the only bar to their union, "and as money gives me no
pleasure without you, I do not care to stay in Berwin Manor in lonely
spinsterhood. I shall marry you whenever you choose."

And Lucian, taking advantage of this gracious permission, did choose to
be married, and that speedily; so within two years after the final
closing of the Vrain case they became man and wife. At the time they
were seated in the garden, at the hour of sunset, they had only lately
returned from their honeymoon, and were now talking over past
experiences. Miss Priscilla, who had been left in charge of the Manor
during their absence, had welcomed them back with much joy, as she
looked upon the match as one of her own making. Now she had gone inside,
on the understanding that two are company and three are none, and the
young couple were left alone. Hand in hand, after the foolish fashion of
lovers, they sat under a leafy oak tree, and the sunlight glowed redly
on their happy fa