seems satisfied, there must have been some proper explanation
made. You should hear them first. But I, for my part, wish to
state now, in the presence of everyone, that if Miss Rawson can
assure me she has made this choice of her own free will, and
because she loves this gentleman--" here there was a break in the
tones--"I can have nothing further to say and will give her back
her freedom and make my retreat."

"Oh, Eustace, thank you," said Stella, gratefully holding out her
hand. "I knew I could eventually count upon your goodness. I do
indeed love Count Roumovski, and why should not we all be happy
together? You will feel with me, I am sure, that our engagement
was always a mistake and now won't you be friends?"

She still held out her timid hand, and Mr. Medlicott took it at
last and wringing it silently turned and drew toward the door,
making his exit.

Silence fell upon the company until he had gone and then Count
Roumovski whispered in his harassed little fiancee's ear:

"Never mind his point of view, darling--yonder goes an English
gentleman, and since I have gained my star and he has lost his, he
has my deepest sympathy."

Then everyone seemed to talk at once, and the Princess Urazov at
last appeared to be in some degree appeasing Mrs. Ebley.

There is very little more to tell of this comedy of a spring
holiday in Rome. It ended with a quiet wedding and two young