ly consent and are nice to me," I said.

"Darling!" he faltered, and his voice trembled with emotion. "Darling,
love is between you and me--it is our lives. However, that can go. The
ways of my family--nothing shall ever separate you from me or me from you,
I swear it! Write to Christopher."

I sat down at a table in the hall and wrote:

"DEAR MR. CARRUTHERS,--

"I am sorry I was out," then I bit the end of my pen. "Don't come and see
me this evening. I will tell you why in a day or two.

"Yours sincerely,

"EVANGELINE TRAVERS.

"Will that do?" I said, and I handed it to Robert, while I addressed the
envelope.

"Yes," he said, and waited while I sealed it up and gave it to the porter.
Then, with a surreptitious squeeze of the hand, he left me to go to Lady
Merrenden.

I have come up to my little sitting-room a changed being. The whole world
revolves for me upon another axis, and all within the space of three short
hours.

CLARIDGE'S,

Sunday night, _November 27th._

Late this evening, about eight o'clock, when I had relocked my journal, I
got a note from Robert. I was just going to begin my dinner.

I tore it open, inside was another; I did not wait to look who from, I was
too eager to read his. I paste it in:

"CARLTON HOUSE TERRACE.

"MY DARLING,--

"I have had a long talk with Aunt Sophia, and she is everything
that is sweet and kind, but she fears Torquilstone will be a
little difficult (_I don't care_, _nothing_ shall separate us
now). She asks me not to go and see you again to-night as she
thinks it would be better for you that I should not go to the
hotel so late. Darling, read her note, and you will see how
nice she is. I shall come round to-morrow, the moment the
beastly stables are finished, about twelve o'clock. Oh, take
care of yourself! What a difference to-night and last night!
I was feeling horribly miserable and reckless, and to-night!
Well, you can guess. I am not half good enough for you,
darling beautiful queen, but I think I shall know how to make
you happy. I love you.

"Good-night my own.

"ROBERT."

"Do please send me a tiny