as a painted village. She gave her
heart and hand to Tris there; she suffered him at last to take her to
his heart and kiss her; she intoxicated him with rapture by shyly
kissing him in return. Then they went back to the village together.
Joan was asleep in her chair. John was away with the boats. They both
kissed Joan and Tris called her "mother." And Joan said she had just
been dreaming of such a joy, and she blessed them and then went to the
door and looked toward the _Darling Denas_. If she could only see her
old dear upon the deck, she thought she could send a thought, a
thanksgiving, that would somehow, some way, reach him.

In a few days after this happy understanding, Mr. Arundel had
apparently an equally joyful surprise. Something happened, and the
days of his waiting were over, and he was to be married immediately.
Then it was, in Cornish phrase, "busy all" to get the yacht overhauled
and well victualled. For the young couple were going to spend the
winter on the Mediterranean coasts, and Tris was as much interested in
the preparations as was possible to be, even though the unexpected
change disarranged and postponed his own plans.

For there had absolutely been in Tris' mind a resolution to marry
Denas before he went on the winter's cruise. Of course, in making this
resolution he had never taken into account the contrary plans of Denas
and Joan, neither of whom was disposed to make any haste about the
marriage.

"Love do soon die if there be no house for him to live in," said Joan;
"and I do feel to think that the furnishing of the house be the first
thing. And that not to be done in a week or a month, either. Ham-sam
work have no blessing or happiness with it. To be sure not. Why would
it?"

Denas held the same opinions, so Tris went away and left the
furnishing of the house to Denas and Joan. They would have all the
winter to prepare the napery and crockery and consult about carpets
and furniture. For now that he was to become a married man and a
householder, Tris was quite inclined to take all the domestic and
social consideration his position gave him. Mr. Arundel, in placing
such a pretty home at the service of his captain, required by the very
gift a suitable acceptance of it.

And no one but a mother can tell with what delightful pride Joan
entered into this duty. She had never bought carpets and stuffed
furniture before. The china tea-service would not let her sleep for
three nights, she was so