Mrs. Amber’s eyes were moist with pride.  “It’s a beautiful dress,” she said to Osborn, who had turned eagerly after his girl; “I want her to look sweet.  Here, wouldn’t you like to take something?  Here’s the shoes; I’ve got the stockings.  Wouldn’t you like to carry the shoes?”

Marie was spreading out the gown on the chesterfield from which Julia and Desmond had risen to make room for it.  Mrs. Amber laid the silk stockings reverently near and Osborn dangled his burden, saying gaily:  “And here are Mrs. Kerr’s slippers.”

Rokeby stood back, observing.  “It’s all out of my line,” he said, “but don’t think I’m not respectful; I am.  What’s more, I’m fairly dazzled.  I think I’ll have to get married.”

“You might do worse, old man,” replied Osborn joyfully.

Rokeby lighted another cigarette.  He looked around the room and at the people in it.  He had been familiar with many such interiors and situations, being the kind of man who officiated at weddings but never in the principal part.  “Poor old Osborn!” he thought.  “Another good man down and out!” He looked at the girl, decked by Art and Nature for her natural conquest.  He did not wonder how long her radiance would endure; he thought he knew.  He entertained himself by tracing the likeness to her mother, and the mother’s slimness had thickened, and her shoulders rounded; her eyes were tired, a little dour; they looked out without enthusiasm at the world, except when they rested upon her daughter.  Then they became rather like the eyes of Marie looking at her wedding gown.

* * * * *

Osborn took Marie’s head between his hands, and kissed her eyes and mouth.  “That’s for good night,” he whispered; “Rokeby and I are going home.  You are the sweetest thing, and I shall dream of you all night.  Promise to dream of me.”

“It’s a certainty.”

“It is?” said the young man rapturously.  “I am simply too happy, then.”

“Let’s go and look at the flat to-morrow.”

“Have tea with me in town, darling, and I’ll take you.”

Mrs. Amber and Rokeby came out into the hall.  Rokeby wore a very patient air, and Marie’s mother beamed with that soft and sorrowful pleasure which women have for such circumstances.

“Now say good night,” said she softly, “say good night.  Good-bye, Mr. Rokeby, and we shall see you again a week to-day?”

“A week to-day.”

The two men went out and down the stairs into the street.  Rokeby had his air of good-humoured and invincible patience and Osborn dreamed.

“I’ll see you right home,” said Rokeby.

“And you’ll come in, and have a drink.”

“Thanks.  Perhaps I will.  Haven’t you got a trousseau to show me?”

“Get out, you fool!”

“What do chaps feel like, I wonder,” said Rokeby, “when the day of judgment is so near?”

“I shan’t tell you, you damned scoffer!”