If love counselled haste, common sense suggested patience.
"I couldn't disappoint him now.

You see that, John ?" said the anxious, gentle voice.
"I am afraid I do see it, Mary," he said.

"Our secret must remain our secret for the present." "God bless you, John!" said Lady Mary, softly.

"You always understand." "I am old enough, at least, to know that happiness cannot be attained by setting duty aside," he said, as cheerfully as he could.
There was a pause in the music outside, and a voice was heard speaking.
John rose and straightened himself.
"Have you decided what is to be done--what we had best do ?" she said timidly.
"I am going to prove that a lover can be devoted, and yet perfectly reasonable; in defiance of all tradition to the contrary," he said gaily.

"I shall return to town as soon as I can decently get away--probably to-morrow." She uttered a cry.