t us sit
down and talk sensibly."

She took the Colonel's hand, and gently pressed it.

"Is it true, Mary?" he asked. "I can't believe it."

"Yes, it's quite true. We've decided that we don't wish to marry one
another. I want to ask you not to think badly of Jamie. He's very--cut
up about it. He's not to blame."

"We're thinking of you, my dear."

"Oh, I shall be all right. I can bear it."

"It's not honourable what he's done, Mary," said the Colonel.

"Oh, don't say that, please! That is why I came round to you quickly. I
want you to think that Jamie did what he considered right. For my sake,
don't think ill of him. He can't help it if he doesn't love me. I'm not
very attractive; he must have known in India girls far nicer than I. How
could I hope to keep him all these years? I was a fool to expect it."

"I am so sorry, Mary!" cried Mrs. Parsons. "We've looked forward to your
marriage with all our hearts. You know Jamie's been a good son to us;
he's never given us any worry. We did want him to marry you. We're so
fond of you, and we know how really good you are. We felt that whatever
happened after that--if we died--Jamie would be safe and happy."

"It can't be helped. Things never turn out in this world as one wants
them. Don't be too distressed about it, and, above all things, don't let
Jamie see that you think he hasn't acted--as he might have done."

"How can you think of him now, when your heart must be almost breaking?"

"You see, I've thought of him for years," answered Mary, smiling sadly.
"I can't help it now. Oh, I don't want him to suffer! His worrying can
do no good, I should like him to be completely happy."

Colonel Parsons sighed.

"He's my son, and he's behaved dishonourably."

"Don't say that. It's not fair to him. He did not ask me for his
release. But I couldn't marry him when I knew he no longer cared for
me."

"He might have learned to love you, Mary," said Mrs. Parsons.

"No, no! I could see, as he pressed me to marry him notwithstanding, he
was hoping with all his might that I would refuse. He would have hated
me. No; it's the end. We have separated for ever, and I will do my best
to get over it."

They fell into silence, and presently Mary got up. "I must go home now,
and tell mamma."

"She'll probably have hysterics," said Mrs. Parsons, with a little sniff
of contempt.

"No, she'll be delighted," returned Mary. "I know her so well."

"Oh, how much you will have to suffe