marriage. Why should we delay longer than to make all necessary
arrangements? I long so for my new home, Marian, I have never had a home
in my life since I was a boy."

"O Mr. Fenton--Gilbert,"--she pronounced his Christian name shyly, and in
obedience to his reproachful look,--"remember how short a time we have
known each other. It is much too soon to talk or think of marriage yet. I
want you to have plenty of leisure to consider whether you really care
for me, whether it isn't only a fancy that will die out when you go back
to London. And we ought to have time to know each other very well,
Gilbert, to be quite sure we are suited to one another."

This seemed an echo of his sister's reasoning, and vexed him a little.

"Have _you_ any fear that we shall not suit each other, Marian?" he asked
anxiously.

"I know that you are only too good for me," she answered. Upon which
Gilbert hindered the hemming of the Captain's handkerchiefs by stooping
down to kiss the little hands at work upon them. And then the talk
drifted back to easier subjects, and he did not again press that question
as to the date of the marriage.

At last the time came for going to the station. He had arranged for Mr.
Lister's gig to call for him at the cottage, so that he might spend every
possible moment with Marian. And at three o'clock the gig appeared,
driven by Martin Lister himself, and Gilbert was fain to say good-bye.
His last lingering backward glance showed him the white figure under the
walnut-trees, and a little hand waving farewell.