"Why not," said I. "Surely Sir John can get you up there any
day?"

"Not now. The fighting makes it difficult. But it isn't that. I
am leaving."

"Leaving?" My heart gave a leap. "Why? Where?"

"Leaving Lady Meryon."

"Why - for Heaven's sake?"

"I had rather not tell you."

"But I must know."

"You cannot."

"I shall ask Lady Meryon."

"I forbid you."

And then the unexpected happened, and an unbearable impulse swept
me into folly - or was it wisdom?

"Listen to me. I would not have said it yet, but this settles it.
I want you to marry me. I want it atrociously!"

It was a strange word. What I felt for her at that moment was