“Certainly not, Mr. Douglas.  I am really sorry that I cannot give you a written undertaking that your suit shall succeed:  perhaps that might encourage you to brave the scorn of a poor child who adores you.  But if you need so much encouragement, I fear you do not greatly relish the prospect of success.  Doubtless it has already struck her that since you found absence from her very bearable for two years, and have avoided meeting her on your return, her society cannot be very important to your happiness.”

“But it was her own fault.  If she accuses me of having gone away to enjoy myself, her thoughts are a bitter sarcasm on the truth.”

“Granted that it was her own fault, if you please.  But surely you have punished her enough by your long seclusion, and can afford to shew a tardy magnanimity by this time.  There she is, I think, just come in at the door on the left.  My sight is so wretched.  Is it not she?”

“Yes.”

“Then let us get up and speak to her.  Come.”

“You must excuse me, Mrs. Leith Fairfax.  I have distinctly given her my word that I will not intrude upon her again.”

“Dont be so foolish.”

Douglas’s face clouded.  “You are privileged to say so,” he said.

“Not at all,” said Mrs. Fairfax, frightened.  “But when I think of Marian, I feel like an old woman, and venture to remonstrate with all the presumption of age.  I beg your pardon.”

He bowed.  Then Marian joined them, and Mrs. Fairfax again gave tongue.

“Where have you been?” she cried.  “You vanished from my side like a sprite.  I have been searching for you ever since.”

“I have been looking at the pictures, of course.  I am so glad you have come back, Sholto.  I think you might have made time to pay us a visit before this.  You look so strong and well!  Your beard is a great improvement.  Have you met Nelly?”

“I think we saw her at some distance,” said Douglas.  “I have not been speaking to her.”

“How did you enjoy yourself while you were away?”

“As best I could.”

“You look as if you had succeeded very fairly.  What o’clock is it?  Remember that we have to meet Nelly at the turnstiles at six.”

“It is five minutes to six now, Miss Lind.”

“Thank you, Mr. Douglas.  We had better go, I think.”

As they left the room, Mrs. Fairfax purposely lingered behind them.

“Am I right in concluding that you are as frivolous as ever, Marian?” he said.

“Quite,” she replied.  “To-day especially so.  I am very happy to-day.”

“May I ask why?”

“Something has happened.  I will tell you what it is some day perhaps, but not now.  Something that realizes a romantic dream of mine.  The dream has been hovering vaguely about me for nearly two years; but I never ventured to teach myself exactly what it was until to-day.”

“Realized here? in the Academy?”