rves could not endure this kind of thing.

His violence had an excellent effect. Iris recovered herself, and came
towards him with hands extended.

"It's nothing at all, dearest. I couldn't bear to keep you waiting, and
fretted myself into a fever when I saw what time it was. Don't be angry
with me, will you?"

Dyce was satisfied. It seemed to him a very natural explanation; a
caress put him into his gracious mood.

"After all, you know," he said, "you're a very womanly woman. I think
we shall have to give up pretending that you're not."

"But I've given it up long since!" Iris exclaimed, with large eyes.
"Didn't you know that?"

"I'm not sure--" he laughed--"that I'm not glad of it."

And they passed a much more tranquil evening than usual. Iris seemed
tired; she sat with her head on Dyce's shoulder, thrilling when his
lips touched her hair. He had assured her that her hair was
beautiful--that he had always admired its hue of the autumn elm-leaf.
Her face, too, he was beginning to find pretty, and seldom did he
trouble to reflect that she was seven years older than he.

Already he regarded this house as his own. His books had been
transferred hither, and many of his other possessions. Very carefully
had Iris put out of sight or got rid of, everything which could remind
him of her former marriage. Certain things (portraits and the like)
which must be preserved for Leonard's sake were locked away in the
boy's room. Of course Lashmar had given her no presents; she, on the
other hand, had been very busy in furnishing a study which should
please him, buying the pictures and ornaments he liked, and many
expensive books of which he said that he had need. Into this room Dyce
was not allowed to peep; it waited as a surprise for him on the return
from the honeymoon. Drawing-room and dining-room he trod as master, and
often felt that, after all, a man could be very comfortable here for a
year or two. A box of good cigars invited him after dinner. A womanly
woman, the little mistress of the house; and, all things considered, he
couldn't be sure that he wasn't glad of it.

One more day only before that of the wedding. Dyce had been on the
point of asking whether all the business with Wrybolt was
satisfactorily settled; but delicacy withheld him. Really, there was
nothing to do; Iris's money simply passed into her own hands on the
event of her marriage. It would be time enough to talk of such things
presently.

They spe