"Not often, I daresay," he admitted.

"And you sit there as serene as a brazen statue, and own it
without a quaver," she reproached him.

"Surely," he urged, "in my character of Englishman, it behooves
me to appear smug and self-satisfied?"

"You're right," she agreed. "I wonder," she continued, after a
moment's pause, during which her eyes looked thoughtful, "I
wonder whether you would fall upon and annihilate a person who
should venture to offer you a word of well-meant advice."

"I should sit as serene as a brazen statue, and receive it
without a quaver," he promised.

"Well, then," said she, leaning forward a little, and dropping
her voice, "why don't you take your courage in both hands, and
ask her?"

Peter stared.

"Be guided by me--and do it," she said.

"Do what?" he puzzled.

"Ask her to marry you, of course," she returned amiably. Then,
without allowing him time to shape an answer, "Touche!" she
cried, in triumph. "I 've brought the tell-tale colour to your