tting peacefully together at this moment, not in this
intolerably embarrassing personal relation towards each other, but at
ease with each other, talking over their boy at Eton, and the new pony
for their little daughters. He did not want to _begin_ being married to
her now.

She knew what he felt.

"Magdalen," he said, "I am distressed that I have taken you by surprise.
I had hoped that you were prepared to see me. But my coming is not, I
trust, painful to you."

A pulse fluttered in her cheek.

"I am glad to see you," she said. "If I did not seem so the first moment
it was only because I was taken aback."

"A great change has come over my fortunes," he continued, anxious to
give her time, and yet aware that no conversation except on the object
of his visit was really possible. "I am at last in a position to marry."

"When I heard the news I thought that you would probably marry soon."

"Our engagement was broken off solely for lack of means," he continued.
Her eyes dropped. "Now that that obstacle is removed I have come to ask
you, to beg you most earnestly to renew it."

"It is very good of you," she said almost inaudibly. "I appreciate
your--kindness."

He saw that she was going to refuse him. But he was prepared for that
contingency. It was a natural feminine method of readjusting the balance
between them. He would certainly give her the opportunity. He owed it to
her. Besides, the refusal would not be final. He knew from her relations
that she still loved him.

"If your feeling towards me is unchanged will you marry me?"

The door opened, and the footman announced "Mr. Thomson."

The new curate came slowly into the room, his short-sighted eyes peering
about him, a little faggot of papers girdled by an elastic band, clasped
in his careful hand against his breast.

Magdalen started violently, and Lord Lossiemouth experienced a furious
exasperation.

Magdalen mechanically introduced the two men to each other, and they all
three sat down, with the same sudden automatic precision as when Bessie
had been present.

"The days are beginning to lengthen already," said Mr. Thomson. "I have
noticed it, especially the last few days, and the rooks are
clamourous--very clamourous."

"It was to be expected," faltered Magdalen.

"The accounts are, I am glad to say, in perfect order. I am proud to
add, though I fear a statement so unusual may lay me open to a charge of
romancing, that we have a small balance i