" said Mary.

"Yes, you have, _now_." Bertha pressed her hand.

"Good-bye! ... Oh, Bertha, do you _really_ think he'll miss me?"

"Of course he will! Awfully!"

"Thanks. Good-bye!"

* * * * *

"Poor girl!" Bertha said to herself as Mary left the house.

CHAPTER XXXVI

PLAIN SAILING

Whether or not it was through meeting Nigel, at any rate, Rupert became
exceedingly anxious to see Madeline again. It would have happened
anyhow, but perhaps a little more slowly, since Nigel's rapid views may
have had some influence on that more deliberate young man.

* * * * *

However that may be, in the early autumn Madeline, almost overcome with
joy, was married to her adored and cultured instructor. She always
remained his painstaking pupil; and he seemed highly gratified with her
general progress; while she continued to be equally pleased with his
mode of instruction and anxious not to neglect her education in any way.

* * * * *

When Nigel joined his wife he found her decidedly improved. Perhaps he
really had missed the fact that he was of far more importance to her
than to anyone else in the world. She never conquered her jealousy; but
she learnt to conceal it, and thus to keep the peace; the children
became gradually a source of mutual interest that was a real tie between
them; in fact it grew in time into a positive hobby and a cause of so
much pride and satisfaction as to be rather a bore to many of their
friends.

* * * * *

I find I am finishing my story in a manner no less strange than
unconventional nowadays: I am leaving no less than three almost
perfectly happy couples! If this is a strain on the imagination of the
reader, let it be remembered that they had all had their troubles and
storms before they reached this point of smooth water.

* * * * *

Nigel, of course, deserved his peace and comfort the least. Percy,
however, with his squash rackets and afternoon concerts (which, however,
he grew to neglect in order to be more with Bertha), was the least
interesting of all my heroes. Yet Bertha remained, I must admit, of all
my heroines, by far the most in love.

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK BIRD OF PARADISE***

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