No, he was not very apprehensive about the result, or he could not have
carried the letter thus far unopened. But all the same the contents
surprised him. He had expected, at the worst, some mild refusal on the
ground of haste; and, at the best, an evasive hint that he might come
to Brighton and talk to Lady Beresford. But all the writing on this
sheet of paper consisted of two words, '_From Madge;_' and what
accompanied them was a bit of forget-me-not--not painted, this time,
but a bit of the real flower. It was a pretty notion. It confessed
much, without saying much. There was a sort of maiden reticence about
it, and yet kindness, and hope. What Frank King did not know was
this--that it was Nan Beresford who had suggested that answer to his
letter.

He never knew how he got home that morning. He was all in a tempest of
eagerness and delight; he scarcely lived in to-day--it was next day.
It was the future that seemed to be around him. He burst into his
friend's bed-room before the breakfast gong had sounded.

'Beresford, I'll go with you whenever you like now. Whenever you like.
I'm going to Brighton with you, I mean.'

'Oh, that's it, is it?' said Mr. Tom, without looking up--he was tying
his shoes.

'I've heard from your sister, you know----'

'I thought so. It's all right then, is it?'

'I hope so. I'm very glad it's settled. And you know I don't want to
turn you out of the house; but you've been very kind, waiting a day or
two longer; and I _should_ like to get to Brighton at once.'

'I'll start in five minutes if you like,' said Mr. Tom, coolly, having
finished with his shoes. 'And I suppose I ought to congratulate you.
Well, I do. She's a very good sort of a girl. Only----'

He hesitated. It was inauspicious.

'What do you mean?' said Captain Frank.

'Well, I've seen a good deal about women and their goings on, don't you
know?' said Mr. Tom, with a sort of shrug. 'They're always changing
and chopping and twisting about. The best way is to marry them
offhand, and take the nonsense out of them.'

Captain Frank laughed. This was not at all alarming. And when it
became secretly known that Captain Frank was immediately going to
Brighton to secure his promised bride, there was a great, though
discreet rejoicing at Kingscourt; and even pretty Mary Coventry came
with her demure and laughing congratulations; and Mr. Tom was made more
of than ever during the few hours longer that he remain