‘I began to be afraid that I had been changed into somebody else. Well, now that the skirmish is over, now that the fortress has capitulated, suppose we settle the terms of victory. How soon are we to be married?’ ‘Married! You take my breath away. You might be one of those freebooters of the middle ages who used to hang their prisoners the moment they caught them.’ ‘We are prepared to grant the prisoner a reasonable time to make her peace with the world.’ Madame De Vigne laid a hand gently on his sleeve. ‘Dear friend, let us talk of this another time,’ she said. ‘Another time then let it be,’ he answered as he lifted her hand to his lips. ‘Meanwhile’—— ‘Yes, meanwhile?’ ‘I may as well proceed to give you a few lessons in the art of making love.’ ‘It may be that the pupil knows as much of such matters as her teacher.’ ‘That has to be proved. You shall have your first lesson to-morrow.’ ‘Merci, monsieur.’ ‘By Jove! talking about to-morrow reminds me of something I had nearly forgotten.’ He started to his feet and pulled out his watch. ‘Now that you have made me the happiest fellow in England, I must leave you for a little while.’ ‘Leave me?’ she exclaimed as she rose to her feet. ‘Only for a few hours. On my arrival here I found a telegram from my brother. He has been staying at Derwent Hall, near Grasmere. To-morrow he starts for Ireland. We have some family matters to arrange. If I don’t see him to-night, we may not meet again for months. I’m sorry at having to go, but you won’t mind my leaving you till to-morrow?’ ‘Can you ask? Do you know, I’m rather glad you are going.’ ‘Why glad?’ ‘Because it will give me time to think over all that has happened this evening. I—I feel as if I want to be alone. You are not a woman, and can’t understand such things.’ Again his arm stole round her waist. The clock on the mantel-piece struck the hour. Mora disengaged herself. ‘Twilight seems to have come all at once,’ she said. ‘You will have a dark drive. It is time for you to go.’ ‘More’s the pity.’ ‘To-morrow will soon be here; which reminds me that we have arranged for a picnic to-morrow at High Ghyll Force.’ ‘You will be there?’ ‘Clarice and Miss Gaisford have induced me to promise.’ ‘If I should happen to drive round that way on my return, should I be looked upon as an intruder?’ ‘As if you didn’t know differently from that!’ ‘Then possibly you may see me.’ ‘I shall expect you without fail.’ ‘In that case I will not fail.—My driver will be wondering what has become of me.’ ‘Good-night,’ said Mora impulsively. ‘Harold,’ he said softly. ‘Harold—dear Harold!’ she answered. ‘My name never sounded so sweet before,’ exclaimed the colonel as, with a parting embrace, the gallant wooer quitted the apartment.