"We had been talking nonsense," she replied, picking out a chord
or two, without looking al him. "And I thought we ought to give
all past vanities and frivolities and lunacies a decent burial."

He put both hands very tenderly on her shoulders.

"Requiescat," said he.

She spread out her fingers and struck the two resonant chords of
an "Amen," and then glanced up at him, laughing.

After a while, Marigold announced her car, or, rather, her aunt's
car. They took their leave. I gave them my benediction. Presently,
Betty, fur-coated, came running in alone. She flung herself down,
in her impetuous way, beside my wheel-chair. No visit of Betty's
would have been complete without this performance.

"I haven't had a word with you all the evening, Majy, dear. I've
told Willie to discuss strategy with Sergeant Marigold in the
hall, till I come. Well--you thought I was a damn little fool the
other day, didn't you? What do you think now?"

"I think, my dear," said I, with a hand on her forehead, "that you
are marrying a very gallant English gentleman of whose love any
woman in the land might be proud."

She clutched me round the neck and brought her young face near
mine--and looked at me--I hesitate to say it,--but so it seemed,--
somewhat haggardly.