on that he was boiled."

"Don't be horrid. What has that to do with it?"

"Nothing, perhaps. But he probably broke out again after marriage, and
sank at last into that caldron. That's what it means by being-steeped in
crime."

"How utterly nonsensical you are!"

"I feel light-headed. You've been at sea, on a yacht becalmed, haven't
you? when along comes a groundswell, and as you rock in the sun there
comes trouble, and your head goes round like a top? Now, that's my case.
I've been becalmed four years, and while I pray for a little wind to
take me--home, you rock me in the trough of uncertainty. Suspense is
very gall and wormwood. You know what the jailer said to the criminal
who was hanging on a reprieve: 'Rope deferred maketh the heart sick.'
Marion, give me the hour, or give me the rope."

"The rope enough to hang yourself?"

She suddenly reached up and pulled a hair from her head. She laid it in
his hand-a long brown silken thread. "Hume," she said airily yet gently,
"there is the rope. Can you love me for a month of Sundays?"

"Yes, for ever and a day!"

"I will cancel the day, and take your bond for the rest. I will be
generous. I will marry you in two months-and a day."

"My dearest girl!"--he drew her hand into both of his--"I can't have you
more generous than myself, I'll throw off the month." But his eyes were
shining very seriously, though his mouth smiled.

"Two months and a day," she repeated.

"We must all bundle off to Greyhope to-morrow," came General Armour's
voice across the room. "Down comes the baby, cradle and all."

Lali rose. "I am very tired," she said; "I think I will say good-night."

"I'll go and see the boy with you," Frank said, rising also.

Lali turned towards Marion. Marion's face was flushed, and had a sweet,
happy confusion. With a low, trembling good-night to Captain Vidall,
a hurried kiss on her mother's cheek, and a tip-toed caress on her
father's head, she ran and linked her arm in Lali's, and together they
proceeded to the child's room. Richard was there when they arrived,
mending a broken toy. Two hours later, the brothers parted at Frank's
door.

"Reaping the whirlwind, Dick?" Frank said, dropping his hand on his
brother's arm.

Richard pointed to the child's room.

"Nonsense! Do you want all the world at once? You are reaping the
forgiveness of your sins." Somehow Richard's voice was a little stern.

"I was thinking of my devilry, Dick. That's the whirlwind