[Sidenote:  The Two Concerned]

He noted, with joy, that she said “won’t,” instead of “wouldn’t,” but she did not realise that she had betrayed herself.  “We don’t care, do we?” he asked.  “It’s our wedding and nobody’s else.  When we can’t please everybody, we might as well please ourselves.  Matrimony is the one thing in the world that concerns nobody but the two who enter into it—­and it’s the thing that everybody has the most to say about.  While you’re putting on your hat, I’ll get the license and see about a carriage.”

“I thought I’d wait until Barbara could go to town with me,” she said.

“There’s nothing to hinder your coming back for her, if you want to and she isn’t willing to come with Roger.  I insist upon having my honeymoon alone.”

“All alone?  If I were very good, wouldn’t you let me come along?”

Allan coloured.  “You know what I mean,” he said, softly.  “I’ve waited so long, darling, and I think I’ve been patient.  Isn’t it time I was rewarded?”

They were on the beach, behind the friendly sand-dune that had been their trysting place all Summer.  Thoroughly humble in her surrender, yet wholly womanly, Eloise put her soft arms around his neck.  “I will,” she said.  “Kiss me for the last time before——­”

“Before what?” demanded Allan, as, laughing, she extricated herself from his close embrace.

“Before you exchange your sweetheart for a wife.”

[Sidenote:  More Secure]

“I’m not making any exchange.  I’m only making my possession more secure.  Look, dear.”

He took from his pocket a shining golden circlet which exactly fitted the third finger of her left hand.  Their initials were engraved inside.  Only the date was lacking.

“I’ve had it for a long, long time,” he said, in reply to her surprised question.  “I hoped that some day I might find you in a yielding mood.”

When she went up to her room, her heart was beating wildly.  This sudden plunge into the unknown was blinding, even though she longed to make it.  Having come to the edge of the precipice she feared the leap, in spite of the conviction that life-long happiness lay beyond.

In the fond sight of her lover, Eloise was very lovely when she went down in her white gown and hat, her eyes shining with the world-old joy that makes the old world new for those to whom it comes, be it soon or late.

[Sidenote:  Beautifully Unconventional]

“It’s beautifully unconventional,” she said, as he assisted her into the surrey.  “No bridesmaids, no wedding presents, and no dreary round of entertainments.  I believe I like it.”

“I know I do,” he responded, fervently.  “You’re the loveliest thing I’ve ever seen, sweetheart.  Is that a new gown?”

“I’ve worn it all Summer,” she laughed “and it’s been washed over a dozen times.  You have lots to learn about gowns.”

“I’m a willing pupil,” he announced.  “Shouldn’t you have a veil?  I believe the bride’s veil is usually ’of tulle, caught with a diamond star, the gift of the groom.’”