After a long silence Dollie said that it had turned colder. He then asked me if I had had any racing tips lately, and I asked him in return how I, moving in the society that I did, could expect to have any. "I go nowhere," I said. "Except to the Zoo. Besides, I don't want tips." "Why don't you ask the keepers?" he said, and Ann told him not to be absurd. Naomi, entering with Lavender, made a diversion. Ann asked if she might hold her and was exceedingly tender, and pretty in her tenderness. Dollie threw away his cigarette, surveyed Lavender minutely through his monocle, and said nothing, but sighed heavily. Naomi asked Dollie where he was dining that night, and he looked at Ann. Ann said she was not sure. I drew Dollie to the window and said, "Well?" He gripped me by the hand and took out another cigarette, and I guessed that these young hesitants had this morning come at last to grips, and that the day was named, and I was feeling very complacent about my devilish perspicacity when Ann took off her gloves and revealed the newest wedding-ring on earth. And then, Lavender having been removed, on account of her immaturity, we had the story. These young idiots had been registered that very morning, and Sir Gaston did not yet know. "But why weren't you married properly?" Naomi asked. "Well," said Ann, "we didn't want the fuss of a wedding, and, honestly, I wanted to save father all that trouble and expense." "But it's so furtive-looking," Naomi said. "That's all right," said Dollie. "We had witnesses. Farrar was there and Gwen. Farrar signed the book like a good 'un. All straight and above board." "Yes," said Naomi, "that's all right, I know, but, Ann, think of your grandmother, old Mrs. Ingleside. She would have given everything to be at your wedding. And your mother, Dollie." "Oh well," said Dollie, "my mother gave me up as a conventional being years ago. She'll be jolly glad I'm settled and done for. That's what she'll say." "But your sisters? How they would have enjoyed being bridesmaids!" "Not they," said Dollie; "they've done it too often. Besides, I protest against marrying in order to give one's people enjoyment. That's all out of date. Ann and I wanted to save fuss, and, by Jingo, we've done it!" "And what is the next move?" I asked. "Well," said Ann, "we wondered if you would come down to Buckingham Street with us and help with father." "I like that," I was beginning to say, when, "Of course he will," said Naomi. Sir Gaston was in when we arrived. After greeting me, he looked at Dollie and remarked that he had the appearance of one who had backed a loser. Dollie groaned. "Not so bad as that, I hope," he murmured. Ann went over to her father and kissed him. He seemed rather surprised, but merely asked what he had done to receive such an unusual attention. Ann replied that she felt like it, and I realized that the time had come to stop this drama of reticences and disguised feelings.