the tears rising to her eyes,
"don't talk like that! I'm sure he can't help loving you, either;
you're so good and sweet. You're both of you fanciful, and he's not
well. Be patient. Jamie is shy and reserved; he hasn't quite got used to
us yet. He doesn't know how to show his feelings. It will all come right
soon."

"Of course he loves you!" said Colonel Parsons. "Who could help it? Why,
if I were a young fellow I should be mad to marry you."

"And what about me, Richmond?" asked Mrs. Parsons, smiling.

"Well, I think I should have to commit bigamy, and marry you both."

They laughed at the Colonel's mild little joke, happy to break through
the cloud of doubt which oppressed them.

"You're a dear thing," said Mary, kissing the old man, "and I'm a very
silly girl. It's wrong of me to give way to whims and fancies."

"You must be very brave when you're the wife of a V.C.," said the
Colonel, patting her hand.

"Oh, it was a beautiful action!" cried Mary. "And he's as modest about
it as though he had done nothing that any man might not do. I think
there can be no sight more pleasing to God than that of a brave man
risking his life to save a comrade."

"And that ought to be an assurance to you, Mary, that James will never
do anything unkind or dishonourable. Trust him, and forgive his little
faults of manner. I'm sure he loves you, and soon you'll get married and
be completely happy."

Mary's face darkened once more.

"He's been here three days, and he's not said a word about getting
married. Oh, I can't help it; I'm so frightened! I wish he'd say
something--just one word to show that he really cares for me. He seems
to have forgotten that we're even engaged."

Colonel Parsons looked at his wife, begging her by his glance to say
something that would comfort Mary. Mrs. Parsons looked down, uncertain,
ill at ease.

"You don't despise me for talking like this, Mrs. Parsons?"

"Despise you, my dear! How can I, when I love you so dearly? Shall I
speak to Jamie? I'm sure when he understands that he's making you
unhappy, he'll be different. He has the kindest heart in the world; I've
never known him do an unkind thing in his life."

"No, don't say anything to him," replied Mary. "I daresay it's all
nonsense. I don't want him to be driven into making love to me."

* * *

Meanwhile James wandered thoughtfully. The country was undulating, and
little hill rose after little hill, affording spacious views of the fat