advanced to her hostess and
put out her hand.

"I'm afraid I'm awfully late," she said quietly.

Mrs. Waterbrook stooped and kissed her.

"My darling," she said softly, "it was worth waiting for."

CHAPTER VII

HOW DAPHNE LOST HER BEDFELLOW, AND THE LINE OF LEAST RESISTANCE PROVED
IRRESISTIBLE.

Order, so to speak, having been restored, and the path of love made
straight beyond all manner of doubt, we decided festively to make an
excursion to Spain. The fact that Piers could speak Spanish suggested
that all the arrangements should be left in his hands. We embraced the
suggestion cordially. Then, at the eleventh hour, a courteously
imperative wire from his solicitors had deprived us of our courier....

The Duke of Padua had left Pau that evening, and all six of us had gone
to the station to speed him to Paris and Rome. My cousin's farewell to
her future husband had been ridiculously affecting. Polonius' advice
to his son was above rubies, but Jill's charge came pelting out of an
eager heart.

"Oh, and Piers darling, you will take care, won't you? And do wear
warm things. I'm sure it's still most awfully cold up there, and--and
I don't know what men wear extra, but couldn't you put on a bodybelt?"

"Binder, dear, binder," corrected Berry.

"Well, binder, then. I remember Jonah saying----"

"Never," said her brother.

"Yes, you did. You said the great thing was to keep warm round
the--er--round the hips."

Berry looked round.

"All women and children," he said, "will leave the Court."

"Piers, you will, won't you? For my sake. Oh, and don't forget you've
got to get some sock-suspenders, because your left one comes down. And
be very careful crossing the streets. Wait till there's a gap--always.
And don't drink the water, will you? Don't even use it for your teeth.
Daphne won't."

"That's right," said Berry. "Do as she does. Combine business with
pleasure and clean them in a small Worthington."

"Oh, and lock your door at night. Just in case. And, Piers darling, I
love you very much, and--and God bless you, dear, and I shall just wait
and wait for you to come back again."

Hat in hand, Piers put her fingers to his lips.

"Good-bye, Madonna."

They kissed one another passionately.

The next moment the train was moving, and the Duke swung himself on to
the step of the _wagon lit_.

Jill began to trot by his side....

When she could run no faster, my cousin gave up the att