so," she whispered back. "Only I--I'm rather frightened, Jack."

"There's no need, darling," said Jack, and kissed her very tenderly.
"He's a good fellow--the best of fellows. He's sworn to me to make you
happy."

She was trembling a little in his hold. "He--doesn't want to marry me
yet, does he?" she asked, nervously.

He put a very gentle hand upon her head. "Don't funk the last fence, old
girl!" he said, softly. "You'll like being married."

"Ah!" She was breathing quickly. "I am not so sure. And there's no
getting back, is there, Jack? Oh, please, do ask him to wait a little
while! I'm sure he will. He is very kind."

"He has waited five years already," Jack pointed out. "Don't you think
that's almost long enough, dear?"

She put a hand to her throat, feeling as if there were some constriction
there. "He has been speaking to you about it! He wants you to--to
persuade me--to--to make me--"

"No, dear, no!" Jack spoke very gravely. "He wants you to please
yourself. It is I who think that a long delay would be a mistake. Can't
you be brave, Dot? Take what the gods send--and be thankful?"

She tried to laugh. "I'm an awful idiot, Jack. Yes, I will--I will be
brave. After all, it isn't as if--as if I were really sacrificing
anything, is it? And you're sure he's a good man, aren't you? You are