“Would you like me to ask God to make me grow up quick so that we can be married soon, Noel?” she asked.

“I shouldn’t.” said Noel.

“Not?” The wedgewood-blue eyes opened wide.

“No.  Very likely you won’t want to marry me when you’re grown up,” Noel explained.

Peggy was amazed at the bare suggestion of such a possibility.  “Why, of course I’ll want to marry you,” she declared, hugging him.  “You’re the wery nicest man that ever was.”

“No, I’m not.  I’m a rotter,” Noel made brief and unvarnished reply.  “No one knows what I am—­except myself.  And no one ever will,” he added almost fiercely.  And then, with lightning change of front, he laughed.  “Never mind!  We’ll go on being sweethearts.  That’s better than nothing, isn’t it?”

Peggy was looking at him very seriously.  “I’d go on lovin’ you even if—­if—­you was to kill someone,” she said.

“Thanks, Peg-top!  Well, I’ve never done that yet, though there’s no knowing how soon I may begin,” said Noel carelessly.

“Oh, but it’s very wicked to kill people.”  There was shocked reproof in Peggy’s tone.

“Depends,” said Noel judicially.  “Sometimes it’s the only thing to do.”

“Oh, Noel!” Peggy’s disapproval was evidently struggling with her loyalty.

Something white gleamed in the doorway, and Noel’s eyes suddenly sparkled.  He abandoned the argument without a second thought.

“Pray come in!” he said.  “Peggy is holding a reception.  She always receives at this hour.  Now, Peggy, stand up and tell this lady my name!”

“May I really come in for a moment?” said Olga.  She stood hesitating on the threshold, a slim, girlish figure.  “Don’t let me disturb you!  Mrs. Musgrave thinks she must have left her rings here.  How do you do?”

She gave her hand to Noel who had moved to meet her He laughed audaciously into her face.

“Awfully pleased to meet you, Miss—­er—­Ratcliffe!  Why didn’t you come in before?  I was in a beastly tight fix, and should have been glad of your assistance.  I knew you were there.”

“Did you?” she said.  The smile that had grown so rare flashed over her face in response to his.  “I wasn’t eavesdropping really,” she assured him.  “I was only waiting for a suitable moment to present myself.”

“Could any moment be anything else?” he asked her, bowing deeply.

She laughed at that without the faintest coquetry.  “Very easily, I should say.  Isn’t little Peggy going to bed?”

“Of course she is,” said Noel.  “Hop in, infant!  We’ve been officiating at a wedding to-day, she and I, and the excitement has turned our heads a little.  That’s the way, mavourneen!” as Peggy, a little shy in the presence of the newcomer, slipped into her bed.  “You didn’t introduce me though, did you?”

Peggy held his hand in embarrassed silence.

“Peggy scarcely knows me herself yet,” said Olga.  “Don’t you think we might manage without?”