I suppose the sooner I go the better. You had better write a line for me
to take with me. For, you see, this is to be a somewhat unusual
transaction, and it may be embarrassing to the lady, even to myself. So
we ought to have some sort of warrant, something to show that we have
been mindful of her feelings. It will not do to take acquiescence for
granted--although we act for her good."

"Sir Nathaniel, you are a true friend; I am sure that both Mimi and I
shall be grateful to you for all our lives--however long they may be!"

So the two talked it over and agreed as to points to be borne in mind by
the ambassador. It was striking ten when Sir Nathaniel left the house,
Adam seeing him quietly off.

As the young man followed him with wistful eyes--almost jealous of the
privilege which his kind deed was about to bring him--he felt that his
own heart was in his friend's breast.

The memory of that morning was like a dream to all those concerned in it.
Sir Nathaniel had a confused recollection of detail and sequence, though
the main facts stood out in his memory boldly and clearly. Adam Salton's
recollection was of an illimitable wait, filled with anxiety, hope, and
chagrin, all dominated by a sense of the slow passage of time and
accompanied by vague fears. Mimi could not for a long time think at all,
or recollect anything, except that Adam loved her and was saving her from
a terrible danger. When she had time to think, later on, she wondered
when she had any ignorance of the fact that Adam loved her, and that she
loved him with all her heart. Everything, every recollection however
small, every feeling, seemed to fit into those elemental facts as though
they had all been moulded together. The main and crowning recollection