It was charming to see the look of proud admiration which he cast at his _fiancee_; charming to see her changed and softened mien; charming to see the smile of complete and happy confidence which was exchanged between the two. For the first time for many days the weight of depression lifted from Mrs Trevor's heart, and she forgot Miles' departure in rejoicing in their joy. Her face had its old bright look as she re-entered the study to tell the news to her children, who, truth to tell, were not too sympathetic in their reception. The three elders were, of course, more or less prepared for the announcement, but Pam gasped in shocked surprise. "_Married_!" she cried shrilly. "But they are so old! What's the good of being married, and having all the bother for nothing? They'll be dead so soon!" "It's an awful fag. It won't be half so much sport going to tea," commented Jill with outspoken selfishness, while Jack shrugged his shoulders and grimaced disapproval. "Got everything he wants--rattling good food, all his relics and things around him, and Johnson to save all bother. Can't think why he couldn't be satisfied!" Only Betty was silent, her heart warming with a tender sympathy over the story of an old and loyal love. Miss Beveridge was quite, quite old, over forty, and her hair was grey, yet the General called her a girl, and thought her beautiful still. Somehow the thought had a direct personal comfort. Other people might feel the same; and thirty--thirty was comparatively young! The next day the General was taken in state to call upon Nan Vanburgh, who had heard from Betty which way the wind was blowing, but had, of course, been obliged to preserve an unconscious demeanour until the engagement was a _fait accompli_. "Under Providence, madam, I am indebted to you for this happiness!" cried the General, bowing over her hand in his courtly old-world fashion; and Nan looked at him with what her friends called "the shiny look" in her eyes, and said, in the honest, big-girl fashion which she never seemed to outgrow-- "And I am so happy that you are happy that I could just jump for joy! It's a perfectly beautiful ending to my Saturday afternoons. I'm only a little bit jealous that Mrs Trevor has had you to herself all this time. Now it's my turn! What about the wedding? Where is it to take place? Are you perhaps going to some relation's house?" "No. Neither of us owns anyone very near and dear, so we prefer to stay quietly in town." "Then it must certainly be from here! You couldn't dream of being married from the Home, Miss Beveridge! Come to me a few days before, and I'll be your tire-woman, and help to get everything ready, and you shall have a nice breakfast and invite all your friends." But here the General interfered.