’I feel as you said in your letter, Frank.  There is something tragic in it.  It will be with me for ever.  All the future will arrange itself round that little ring.’

‘Are you afraid of it?’

‘Afraid!’ her grey glove rested for an instant upon the back of his hand.  ’I couldn’t be afraid of anything if you were with me.  It is really extraordinary, for by nature I am so easily frightened.  But if I were with you in a railway accident or anywhere, it would be just the same.  You see I become for the time part of you, as it were, and you are brave enough for two.’

‘I don’t profess to be so brave as all that,’ said Frank.  ’I expect I have as many nerves as my neighbours.’

Maude’s grey toque nodded up and down.  ‘I know all about that,’ said she.

’You have such a false idea of me.  It makes me happy at the time and miserable afterwards, for I feel such a rank impostor.  You imagine me to be a hero, and a genius, and all sorts of things, while I know that I am about as ordinary a young fellow as walks the streets of London, and no more worthy of you than—­well, than any one else is.’

She laughed with shining eyes.

‘I like to hear you talk like that,’ said she.  ’That is just what is so beautiful about you.’

It is hopeless to prove that you are not a hero when your disclaimers are themselves taken as a proof of heroism.  Frank shrugged his shoulders.

‘I only hope you’ll find me out gradually and not suddenly,’ said he.  ’Now, Maude, we have all day and all London before us.  What shall we do?  I want you to choose.’

’I am quite happy whatever we do.  I am content to sit here with you until evening.’

Her idea of a happy holiday set them both laughing.

‘Come along,’ said he, ‘we shall discuss it as we go.’

The workman’s family was still waiting, and Maude handed the child a shilling as she went out.  She was so happy herself that she wanted every one else to be happy also.  The people turned to look at her as she passed.  With the slight flush upon her cheeks and the light in her eyes, she seemed the personification of youth, and life, and love.  One tall old gentleman started as he looked, and watched her with a rapt face until she disappeared.  Some cheek had flushed and some eye had brightened at his words once, and sweet old days had for an instant lived again.

‘Shall we have a cab?’

‘O Frank, we must learn to be economical.  Let us walk.’

‘I can’t and won’t be economical to-day.’

‘There now!  See what a bad influence I have upon you.’

’Most demoralising!  But we have not settled yet where we are to go to.’

‘What does it matter, if we are together?’

’There is a good match at the Oval, the Australians against Surrey.  Would you care to see that?’

‘Yes, dear, if you would.’