“Are you not too tired for walking here after your long day, Allegra?” Isola asked, when they had gone up and down the path two or three times. “Tired, no. I could walk to Tywardreath. I could walk to the Mausoleum. Shall we go there? The sea must be lovely under that moon.” “My dearest, it is nearly seven o’clock, and you have been tramping about all day. If you are not very tired, you must be very much excited, Allegra. I am longing to hear what it all means.” “Are you really, now? Do you care about it, Isola? Can you, who are firmly anchored in the haven of marriage, feel any sentimental interest in other people, tossing about on the sea of courtship? Martin is to be told everything to-night--so you may as well know all about it now. You like Captain Hulbert, don’t you, Isola?” “I do, indeed. I like him, and believe in him.” “Thank Heaven! I should have been miserable if you had doubted or disliked him. He is to be my husband some day, Isa, if Martin approve--but not for a year, at least. Tell me, dear, are you glad?” “Yes, I am very glad. God bless you, Allegra, and make your life happy--and free--from--care.” She broke down with those last faltered words, and Allegra discovered that she was crying. “My dearest Isa, don’t cry! I shall fancy you are sorry--that you think him unworthy.” “No, no, no. It is not that. He is worthy. He is all that I could desire in the man who is to be your husband. No, I was only thinking how completely happy you and he must be--how cloudless your life promises to be. God keep you, and guard you, dear! And may you never know the pain of parting with the husband you love--with your protector and friend--as I have known it.” “Yes, love; but that is all past and done with. There are to be no more farewells for you and Martin.” “No, it is past, thank God! Yet one cannot forget. I am very glad Captain Hulbert has left the navy--that his profession cannot call him away from you.” “No, he is an idle man. I dare say the time will come when I shall be plagued with him, and be almost obliged to suggest that he should keep race-horses, or go on the Stock Exchange, to occupy his time. I have heard women say that it is terrible to have a stay-at-home husband. Yet Martin is never _de trop_--but then Martin can bury himself in a book. He has no fidgety ways.” “How lightly you talk, Allegra.” “Perhaps that is because my heart is heavy--heavy, not with grief and care, but with the burden of perplexity and surprise, with the fear that comes of a great joy.” “You do love him, then?” said Isola, earnestly. “You are glad.” “I am very glad. I am glad with all my heart.” “God bless you, dearest! I rejoice in your happiness.” They kissed again, this time with tears on both sides; for Allegra was now quite overcome, and sobbed out her emotion upon her sister’s neck; they two standing clasped in each other’s arms beside the river.