e married on New Year's Day, wherever we are, if Morris wishes it
and the state of my father's health makes it convenient. If not, Uncle
Richard, to wait till a more fitting season." Then she rose--for this
conversation took place at Seaview--saying that it was time she should
give her father his medicine.

Thus the project of an early marriage fell through; for, having
once been driven into announcing her decision in terms so open and
unmistakable, Mary would not go back on her word.

Morris, who was much disappointed, pleaded with her. Her father also
spoke upon the subject, but though the voice was the voice of Mr.
Porson, the arguments, she perceived, were the arguments of Colonel
Monk. Therefore she hardened her heart and put the matter by, refusing,
indeed, to discuss it at any length. Yet--and it is not the first time
that a woman has allowed her whims to prevail over her secret wishes--in
truth she desired nothing more than to be married to Morris so soon as
it was his will to take her.

Finally, a compromise was arranged. There was to be no wedding at
present, but the whole party were to go together to Beaulieu, there
to await the development of events. It was arranged, moreover, by all
concerned, that unless something unforeseen occurred to prevent it, the
marriage should be celebrated upon or about New Year's Day.

CHAPTER VII

BEAULIEU

Beautiful as it might be and fashionable as it might be, Morris did
not find Beaulieu very entertaining; indeed, in an unguarded moment he
confessed to Mary that he "hated the hole." Even the steam launch in
which they went for picnics did not console him, fond though he was of
the sea; while as for Monte Carlo, after his third visit he was heard
to declare that if they wanted to take him there again it must be in his
coffin.

The Colonel did not share these views. He was out for a holiday, and he
meant to enjoy himself. To begin with, there was the club at Nice, where
he fell in with several old comrades and friends. Then, whom should he
meet but Lady Rawlins: once, for a little while in the distant past,
they had been engaged; until suddenly the young lady, a beauty in her
day, jilted him in favour of a wealthy banker of Hebraic origin. Now,
many years after, the banker was aged, violent, and uncomely, habitually
exceeded in his cups, and abused his wife before the servants. So it
came about that to the poor woman the Colonel's courteous, if somewhat
sarcastic,