"O Betty," he sighed, "my beautiful Betty, the wonder of it!"

"O John," she sighed tremulously, "O Jack, indeed 'tis a very furious lover you are! You make love as you fight--as if you loved it--nay, show mercy!" He released her instantly and stood back staring down at her with dazzled eyes.

"Am I rough?" he asked anxiously. "Dear, forgive me! But 'tis all so strange, so unexpected, so marvellous beyond belief! There be so many to love you that I----"

"Shall teach you what love truly is," she murmured, "And I--don't mind--a little roughness, Jack dear!"

"G.o.d, 'tis marvellous!" said he at last, holding her away to feast his eyes on her glowing loveliness. "'Tis pa.s.sing wonderful that of all your throng of lovers you should choose such as I--so much older, so much----" his breath caught, the strong hands that clasped her so tenderly quivered suddenly. "Betty," said he hoa.r.s.ely, "'tis no coquettish whim, this--no youthful fancy? You do love me indeed?" Now seeing the haggard pleading of his eyes, the quiver of his lips and all his shy humility, she uttered a soft cry and drawing him close, pillowed his troubled brow against her soft cheek.

"Ah dearest," she whispered, "why must you doubt? Love for you hath been in my heart from the first I think, though I never guessed 'twas love until to-day. And for your age--O foolish! I would not have thee younger by an hour and--for my love, 'tis here deep within my heart and will but grow with length of days for to know thee more is to love thee more. You think me over-young, I know, light-thoughted, belike and careless, but in her heart a woman is ever older than a man, and, despite my seeming heedlessness your Betty is methinks much the woman you would have her be."

"Aye, truly," he answered, "the sweetest, the loveliest, n.o.blest woman, I do think, in all this big world!" But when he would have caught her to him again she, blushing, laughing, stayed him to straighten lacy mob-cap and pat rebellious curls with hands a little tremulous, then, sitting down, crossed slim feet demurely and motioned him beside her.

"'Deed, sir," she sighed, "you do make love to perfection! And yet--your love is so--so wonderful that I grow a little fearful lest I prove unworthy----"

"Ah, never!" he cried, drawing her hands to his lips.

"Such love doth make me very humble, Jack dear, 'tis all so different, so reverent and yet also 'tis a little--fierce!" she whispered, yielding to his compelling arms.

"Nay, am I so?" he asked, anxiously, his hold relaxing.

"Ele-mentally!" she murmured, pillowing cheek on plum-coloured velvet regardless of lace cap. "Yet methinks I do--love such ferocity!"

"O Betty, when will you wed me?"

"O John, here is a question to ponder. First, when would you have me?"

"To-day! To-morrow! Soon!"

"O impatient youth!" she murmured. "Second, shall your wife enjoy all liberty?"

"So much as she desire," he answered tenderly.

"Third, shall she live in town i' the season, attend b.a.l.l.s, theatres, routs, card-parties, masquerades, drums and the like?"

"If she so wish," said he, a little sadly; perceiving which, she nestled closer to him.

"Fourth, will you swear to be a husband _a la mode_?"

"What may that be?" he enquired.

"Will you be very polite to your wife and seldom intrude upon her privacy as is the modish custom, will you keep separate establishments, will you----"

"By heaven--no!" exclaimed the Major; whereat, and very suddenly, she kissed him.

"Indeed I do think you will make almost as good a husband as lover!"

she sighed. "And--Major Jack, dear--if you would wed me soon----"

"Nay sweet," he broke in, "here was a selfish thought! You are so young----

"A ripe woman of twenty-two, sir!"

"But youth loveth freedom, my Betty, so shall you enjoy it while you will and come to me--when you will!"

"Nay, dear, foolish John, you do speak as you were a prison! What is maiden freedom compared to--wifehood?" she breathed.

"Wife!" he repeated reverently, "'tis a sweet word, Betty!"

"So is--husband, John."

"My Betty--dear--when?"

"Is three months hence too long?"

"Aye, 'tis very long--but----"

"Six weeks, Jack?"

O never-to-be-forgotten hour! Hour long dreamed and yet expected never, so swift to haste away but whose memory was to blossom, sweet and all unfading.

"Dear," said she at last, "since you are not for marriage '_a la mode_'

I shall plague you mightily----"

"G.o.d!" he exclaimed softly, "what a life 'twill be!"

But all at once she started from him as, afar off, a faint wailing arose:

"Betty, my love! O Bet--my Betty love!"

My lady frowned and rising, laid rosy finger to lip.

"Not a word yet, my John! Let our secret be ours awhile. Come, let us meet her."'

Slowly they went amid the roses and sighed for the hour that was gone and wondered to see the sun so low; and thus they presently beheld Lady Belinda twittering towards them escorted by the Sergeant and the tall, well-fed menial.

"O naughty Bet!" she cried, "O wicked puss and truant! I've sought thee this hour and more, I've called thee until my poor voice grew languishing and weak! Ah, dear Major, scold her for me, prithee scold!"

"Nay, madam," he answered, bowing, "I fear the blame is mine, I was for showing my lady the roses as 'twere, and--er----"

"La, dear aunt," said my lady, "how warm you look, so red--so flushed and fulsome!"

"'Tis the sun--the sun!" cried Lady Belinda, "I vow I cannot abide the sun, it nauseates me!"

"Then let us into the shade, mam," said the Major, offering his arm.

"'Twill be cool on the terrace, a--er--a dish of tea----"

"Nay, nay, sir, alack and no, we have neighbours expected. Sir Oliver and Lady Rington, Mrs. Wadhurst, and Lady Lydia Flyte--and that minds me, naughty Bet, you were to have gone a-riding to-day with Mr. Dalroyd and Sir Jasper--they called expectant and you were not! Then came poor young Mr. Marchdale, in a great taking, to know if you'd object to his rhyming 'Bet' with 'sweat!' The Captain called, too, with dear Sir Benjamin Tripp--so modish--so elegant! But solemn as two owls, though why owls should be solemn I don't know never having seen one near enough! So you see, dear Major, we positively must away!"