."

She took his hand--and she held it. She could not let it go. Bob allowed
it to lie in hers.

"Oh, dear old Bob, I'm so miserable; I hate myself for having done it,
and I hate myself worse for being so glad it's undone. It did seem best
till I did it. No, I suppose I really wanted the title and--and all
that. I do hate myself! And now--the very same day--I let you----"

"You haven't let me do much," he suggested consolingly.

"Yes, I have. At least----" She came a little nearer to him. He took
hold of her other hand. He drew her to him and held her in his arms.

"That's all right," he remarked, still in tones of consolation.

"If anybody knew this! You won't say a word, will you, Bob? Not for ever
so long? You will pretend it was ever so long before I--I mean,
between----?"

"I'll tell any lie," said Bob very cheerfully.

She laughed hysterically. "Because I should never be able to look people
in the face if anybody knew that on the very same day----"

"I should think a--a week would be about right?"

"A week! No, no. Six months."

"Oh, six months be----"

"Well then, three? Do agree to three."

"We'll think about three. Still miserable, Janie?"

"Yes, still--rather. Now you must go. Fancy if anybody came!"

"All right, I'll go. But, I say, you might just drop a hint to the
Major."

"I can't send him another message that I'm--that I've done it again!"

She drew a little away from him. Bob's hearty laugh rang out; his latent
sense of humor was touched at the idea of this second communication to
the Major. For a moment Janie looked angry, for a moment deeply hurt.
Bob laughed still. There was nothing for it but to join in. Her own
laugh rang out gayly as he caught her in his arms again and kissed her.

"Oh, if anybody knew!" sighed Janie.

But Bob was full of triumph. The task was done, the spoke was in the
wheel. There was an end of the Major as well as of Harry--and an end to
his own long and not very hopeful waiting. He kissed his love again.

There was a sudden end to the scene too--startling and sudden. The door
of the room opened abruptly, and in the doorway stood Mrs Iver. Little
need to dilate on the situation as it appeared to Mrs Iver! Had she
known the truth, the thing was bad enough. But she knew nothing of Harry
Tristram's letter. After a moment of consternation Janie ran to her,
crying,

"I'm not engaged any more to Harry Tristram, mother!"

Mrs Iver said nothing. She stood by t