[_Pausing and examining them._] Lydia! What are they? What on earth can they all be? LYDIA. [_Laying down her prayer-book and just touching them._] I haven’t the--the ghost of an idea! What do you think they are, Richard? You’ve studied so much,--wouldn’t the Rev. Mr. Heathcote have prepared you for them? RICHARD. [_Fingering them cautiously._] He might have, I suppose, but I don’t believe I ever got that far advanced! LYDIA. [_Penitently._] That’s because I interfered with the pursuit of your studies, dear Richard! If you hadn’t stopped to marry me---- RICHARD. Ah, Lydia, that’s the best thing my poor old tutor ever did,--marrying us to-day! LYDIA. [_Suddenly drawing very close and laying her little hands on his breast in a sort of piteous daring._] To-day? Oh, Richard,--there’s the queer feeling again--it comes and goes! But if it was to-day,--[_Very poignantly._] Oh, Richard, why were we so long getting home? RICHARD. [_Caressing her gently._] It was that little spill we had, my darling! That’s why you’re still a little shaken. I feel much the same way myself! Ajax was trotting along nicely and, after all, it was hardly strange how frightened he became at that steam-car! LYDIA. [_Ruefully._] Poor little pony! I should think they might have waited for their old experiment till after our wedding! One thing, I am sure that when Papa informs Mr. Van Beuren about the accident, he will put a stop to any such ridiculous practises! [_Tossing her curls._] Steam-cars, indeed! RICHARD. [_Thoughtfully._] I suppose so. And yet, of course it isn’t as if it had been a serious accident! Ajax stopped as soon as we upset! [_He bends over her with sudden anxiety._] You--you’re quite sure it didn’t hurt you, my darling? LYDIA. [_With a little laugh._] Why, Richard, you’ve asked me that a hundred times! Of course it didn’t hurt! I was just a bit frightened--more for poor little Jaxy than myself. How he did run! That steam-car made such a queer noise--and moving that way without a thing to make it go. Positively creepy, I call it! [_Rousing herself._] But my frock’s all right! There’s only this---- [_She pushes back her bonnet and clustering curls to show his concerned eyes a tiny mark over her left temple._ RICHARD. [_Bending and kissing it._] Kiss it and make it well! [_He plays a moment with her curls; then, gravely._] Dearest Lydia, how thankful I am it was nothing serious! LYDIA. [_Nestling close._] And how thankful _I_ am for _you_! Just what you showed me? No more? RICHARD.