nd_ is what really
matters."

"Bodies count," said Miss Charteris, with conviction; adding beneath
her breath, the dawning of a smile in her sad eyes: "We shall jolly
well find, bodies count."

Miss Ann's hearing, as we have already remarked, was preternaturally
sharp. She started. "My dear Christobel, what an expression! And do
you not think, that, under these circumstances, any mention of bodies
savours of impropriety?"

Miss Charteris turned quickly. The colour flamed into her beautiful
face. The glint of angry indignation flashed from her eyes. But the
elderly figure on the couch looked so small and frail. To wound and
crush it would be so easy; and so unworthy of her strength, and wider
experience.

Suddenly she remembered a little blue back, round with grief and shame;
a small sandy face, silent and unflinching; a brave little heart which
kept its faith in God, and prayed on trustfully, while nurses
misunderstood and bullied. Then Miss Charteris conquered her own wrath.

"Dear Ann," she said, gently, "do you really believe your brother would
be much disappointed if--after all--when he asks me to marry him--which
he has not done yet--I feel it better not to do so?"

"My _darling_ child!" exclaimed Miss Ann, and her hair-brooch flew
open, as if to accentuate her horror and amazement. "My _darling_
child! Think how patiently he has waited! Remember the long years!
Remember----"

"Yes, I know," said Miss Charteris. "You told me all that last night,
didn't you? But it seems to me that, if a man can wait twelve years,
he might as well wait twenty."

"So he would have!" cried Miss Ann. "_Undoubtedly_ dear Kenrick would
have waited _twenty years_, had it not been for this fortunate legacy,
which places him in a position to marry at once. But why should you
wish to keep him waiting any longer? Is not twelve years sufficiently
long?"

Miss Charteris smiled. "Twelve days would be too long for some
people," she said, gently. "I have no wish to keep him waiting. But
you must remember, Ann, the Professor has, as yet, spoken no word of
love to me."

"Dear child," said Miss Ann, eagerly; "he would have come to you
to-day, but imperative legal business, connected with our uncle's will,
took him to town. I know for certain that he intends writing to you
this evening; and, if you then give him leave to do so, he will call
upon you to-morrow. Oh, _darling_ girl, you will not disappoint us?
We have