with a brow prophetic of evil.

Maulevrier crept up to the piano, and came stealthily behind the lovers.

'Bless you, my children,' he said, hovering over them with outspread
hands. 'I am the dove coming back to the ark. I am the bearer of happy
tidings. Lady Maulevrier consents to your acquiring the legal right to
make each other miserable for the rest of your lives.'

'God bless you, Maulevrier,' said Hammond, clasping him by the hand.

'Only as this sister of mine is hardly out of the nursery you will have
to wait for her at least a year. So says the dowager, whose word is like
the law of the Modes and Persians, and altereth not.'

'I would wait for her twice seven years, as Jacob waited, and toil for
her, as Jacob toiled,' answered Hammond, 'but I should like to call her
my own to-morrow, if it were possible.'

Nothing could be happier or gayer than the tea-drinking in Lady
Maulevrier's room on the following afternoon. Her ladyship having once
given way upon a point knew how to make her concession gracefully. She
extended her hand to Mr. Hammond as frankly as if he had been her own
particular choice.

'I cannot refuse my granddaughter to her brother's dearest friend,' she
said, 'but I think you are two most imprudent young people.'

'Providence takes care of imprudent lovers, just as it does of the birds
in their nests,' answered Hammond, smiling.