"Nay, you must not thank me, dear! It is you who will invite the wedding guests, that is always the prerogative of the bride. I will pay their expenses, if you will allow me." "Thank you, I will," said Doris, gladly. "Shall we go up to town to invite her?" said Bernard, tentatively. "I should like to do so," said Doris. "But----" "Wouldn’t it be too tiring for you?" said Alice. "Otherwise," she added, "I should like to go up to shop with you in Bond Street." "And I," said Bernard, "should like to go over to Richmond on business. The fact is, I have heard that the school in which I used to work is for sale, and I rather think of buying it. When I was a poor assistant there I used to think what a future it might have if it were more efficiently managed. How would you like to live on Richmond Hill, Doris?" "Near the Terrace, with the loveliest view of the Thames to be seen anywhere! Oh, Bernard, how charming that would be!" "Well, I’ll go and look after the school, if you like; and if you come, too, we can see the Austins while we are in town and invite them to our wedding." In about a week Doris was strong enough for this arrangement to be carried out. She and Bernard, accompanied by Alice as far as Victoria, where they separated, went to London for the day, and after going to Richmond, where negotiations were commenced for the purchase of Bernard’s former school and the head master’s house, they went on to King’s Cross in order to see Mrs. Austin. The good woman was delighted to see them together, apparently on such intimate terms. "Miss Doris!" she cried. "And Mr. Cameron! And both looking so happy! So very happy," she repeated. "Don’t tell me anything, I know it all. There’ll be a wedding. I saw it in the fire last night. Come in. Come in." They followed her into her little room, which seemed to Doris to be smaller and dingier than ever after the great rooms to which she was accustomed. "Oh, Mrs. Austin, I am so happy!" she cried. "It’s Mr. Right this time, and no mistake!" exclaimed the good woman. "Between you and me, miss," she added aside, "I didn’t want you to marry that other gentleman. Miss Sinclair was a dear, sweet lady, but the brother was so upsetting!" "He has been very, very kind to me," said Doris, "and to Mr. Cameron, too. He has been a very good friend to us." "Has he, miss? Well, I’m glad to hear it, but----" she broke off, and began again, "Give me Mr. Cameron, for a fine, pleasant-speaking, right-living gentleman!" she declared. Doris laughed, and her eyes rested on Bernard with loving pride. "Do you know, Mrs. Austin," she said, "I was engaged to him before I came to London at all--only unfortunately our engagement had been cruelly broken off."