don't want to go to one of those there registry offices?"

"That's exactly what I'd like to do. Marriage is too private a thing--"

"I shouldn't feel married," said Mrs. Ramboat.

"Look here, Marion," I said; "we are going to be married at a registry
office. I don't believe in all these fripperies and superstitions, and I
won't submit to them. I've agreed to all sorts of things to please you."

"What's he agreed to?" said her father--unheeded.

"I can't marry at a registry office," said Marion, sallow-white.

"Very well," I said. "I'll marry nowhere else."

"I can't marry at a registry office."

"Very well," I said, standing up, white and tense and it amazed me, but
I was also exultant; "then we won't marry at all."

She leant forward over the table, staring blankly. But presently her
half-averted face began to haunt me as she had sat at the table, and her
arm and the long droop of her shoulder.

III

The next day I did an unexampled thing. I sent a telegram to my uncle,
"Bad temper not coming to business," and set off for Highgate and Ewart.
He was actually at work--on a bust of Millie, and seemed very glad for