Mary, say yes."

She sank helplessly to her knees beside him.

"It would make me very happy," she murmured, with touching humility.

Then he bent forward and kissed her tenderly.

"Let's go and tell them," he said. "They'll be so pleased."

Mary, smiling and joyful, helped him to his feet, and supporting him as
best she could, they went towards the house.

Colonel Parsons was sitting in the dining-room, twirling his old Panama
in a great state of excitement; he had interrupted his wife at her
accounts, and she was looking at him good-humouredly over her
spectacles.

"I'm sure something's happening," he said. "I went out to take Jamie his
beef-tea, and he was holding Mary's hand. I coughed as loud as I could,
but they took no notice at all. So I thought I'd better not disturb
them."

"Here they come," said Mrs. Parsons.

"Mother," said James, "Mary has something to tell you."

"I haven't anything of the sort!" cried Mary, blushing and laughing.
"Jamie has something to tell you."

"Well, the fact is, I've asked Mary to marry me and she's said she
would."

XIX

James was vastly relieved. His people's obvious delight, Mary's quiet
happiness, were very grateful to him, and if he laughed at himself a
little for feeling so virtuous, he could not help thoroughly enjoying
the pleasure he had given. He was willing to acknowledge now that his
conscience had been uneasy after the rupture of his engagement: although
he had assured himself so vehemently that reason was upon his side, the
common disapproval, and the influence of all his bringing-up, had
affected him in his own despite.

"When shall we get married, Mary?" he asked, when the four of them were
sitting together in the garden.

"Quickly!" cried Colonel Parsons.

"Well, shall we say in a month, or six weeks?"

"D'you think you'll be strong enough?" replied Mary, looking
affectionately at him. And then, blushing a little: "I can get ready
very soon."

The night before, she had gone home and taken out the trousseau which
with tears had been put away. She smoothed out the things, unfolded
them, and carefully folded them up. Never in her life had she possessed
such dainty linen. Mary cried a while with pleasure to think that she
could begin again to collect her little store. No one knew what agony it
had been to write to the shops at Tunbridge Wells countermanding her
orders, and now she looked forward with quiet delight to buying all that
remai