Now all the sham and pretense are at an end, forever.

As a friend, you may be splendid.

As a husband--oh, impossible!" Lighter of heart than she had been for years, was she, with the added zest of the long spin through the beauty of the June country before her--down among the hills and cliffs, among the forests and broad valleys--down to New York again, back to the father and the home she loved better than all else in the world.
In this happy frame of mind she presently entered the low-hung, swift-motored car, settled herself on the luxurious cushions and said "Home, at once!" to Herrick.
He nodded, but did not speak.

He felt, in truth, somewhat incapable of quite incoherent speech.

Not having expected any service till next day, he had foregathered with others of his ilk in the servants' bar, below-stairs, and had with wassail and good cheer very effectively put himself out of commission.
But, somewhat sobered by this quick summons, he had managed to pull together.