once and for the last time, than all the fortune
that you could put at my disposal. But I could not accept what you would
offer me from any woman who was not my wife--and I could not marry
any woman that did not love me. I am perhaps past the age when I could
inspire a young girl's affection; but I have not reached the age when I
would accept anything less." He stopped abruptly. Grace did not look
up. There was a tear glistening upon her long eyelashes, albeit a faint
smile played upon her lips.

"Do you call this business, Mr. Rushbrook?" she said softly.

"Business?"

"To assume a proposal declined before it has been offered."

"Grace--my darling--tell me--is it possible?"

It was too late for her to rise now, as his hands held both hers, and
his handsome mouth was smiling level with her own. So it really seemed
to a dispassionate spectator that it WAS possible, and before she had
left the room, it even appeared to be the most probable thing in the
world.

*****

The union of Grace Nevil and Robert Rushbrook was recorded by local
history as the crown to his victory over the Ring. But only he and his
wife knew that it was the cause.

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