deep and
soft; the discontent of the mouth was turned into a happy smile.

"You mean--you mean--" he stammered incredulously. "By Jove! you are
engaged--you two! Is it really possible?"

"Yes! Yes!" Jean jumped on her feet, like a small excited child.
"You've guessed it; it's true. Congratulate us, Piers. We love to be
congratulated."

"By Jove!" ejaculated Piers once more. Jean's assumption of haughtiness
had evidently put him off the scent, for the news appeared to take him
completely by surprise. "By Jove, I _do_ congratulate you. You deserve
congratulations. Gloucester, you are the luckiest man on earth. Jean,
he is the only man I have ever met who is worthy of you. You're a wise
girl; you've done the right thing. I do congratulate you with all my
heart."

Jean jumped again, while Robert looked down at her, his soul in his
eyes.

"Oh, you nice Piers! How nicely you say it. I knew you would be
pleased. Come in, come in; we're having tea. Come and congratulate the
family."

Piers duly went the round, repeating his congratulations in more formal
manner to Mr and Mrs Goring; but it was not until tea was over and
they had adjourned into the garden that he and Vanna had any
conversation together. He was still overflowing with excitement and
pleasure, and eager to discuss the great news with Jean's chosen friend.

"I saw that he admired her, of course--every one does; but she was so
off-hand and casual that I never imagined that things were near a
_denouement_. I've seen her more encouraging to half a dozen other
fellows. But it's splendid; the best news I've heard for an age. Jean
and Gloucester--those two together--it's poetry, romance, the ideal! He
is a man in a thousand; she will be safe with him. Humanly speaking,
her future is assured. You feel that, don't you--the absolute goodness
and sincerity of the fellow?"

"Oh, yes! I told you so once before. It was of him that I spoke when
we were discussing temperaments, and I told you of a man I had just met
whose `aura' was so radiantly attractive--that afternoon in the glen."

"The Happy Land," he corrected, looking down at her with a smile. "So
that was Gloucester, and we agree in our estimate of his character.
That's good! Dear little Jean, I'm so glad of her happiness."

Vanna laughed, an inexplicable sense of relief sending her spirits
racing upwards.

"And I'm so glad that _you're_ glad. I was so afraid that this would
giv