self by
way of reparation? Thank heaven he was man enough to refuse that offer!
Whatever happens to the rest of us, you, at least, must be happy. You
were meant for happiness, and must not throw it aside. I shall probably
leave this place soon, and we may seldom meet in the future, but I
should like to think of you in the sunshine. Promise me to be happy,
Babs! Promise me that you will be happy!"

He turned towards me with a violence of voice and manner so unlike his
usual composed, half-quizzical manner, that I was quite aghast, and did
not know how to reply. For the first time a doubt of his own happiness
sprang into my mind, and once there it seemed to grow bigger and bigger
with every moment that passed. He did not speak like a happy man; he
did not look like a man whose heart was at rest. Looking at him
closely, I saw a network of lines about his mouth, which I had never
noticed before; his eyes looked tired and sunken. He has changed since
I saw him first a year ago, and yet there seems nothing to account for
it, for his circumstances are all the same. Is he depressed because
Rachel still puts off their marriage? Oh, if I were in her place I
could not endure to see him looking ill and sad, and still leave him
alone! Nothing should keep me away! I'd jump over the moon to get to
his side!

We stood still in the middle of the quiet path and stared at each other.
I don't know what he was thinking, but my own thoughts made me blush
and change the subject hurriedly.

"Oh, I mean to be happy! I have had so much anxiety and trouble this
last year that I'm just bubbling over with pent-up spirits. This
engagement has put the finishing touch to my self-control, and I must do
something at once to let off steam. Did you hear me ask Rachel to go
over to Farnham with us to-morrow? Father and mother and I are going to
do it in record time in the new motor, and Rachel is coming, too. She
has never been in a motor, and is eager to see what it is like. It's
quite a triumph to get her to accept an invitation, isn't it? You can
come, too, if you like; there's room for another, and the more the
merrier. Do come, and let us all be happy together! We could have such
a merry day!"

He hesitated for a moment, then laughed in a sort of reckless way, and
cried loudly:

"Yes, let us be happy! It is only for one day. Let us throw care to
the winds, and think of nothing but our own enjoyment. Oh, yes, I'll
come!