“Trouble, my sweet, where you are concerned! You would like a change? Yes, I see it in your eyes! We will go, and this, Margery, shall be the beginning of our married life, henceforth to be spent hand in hand together. I will go at once and give my orders; we will start by the first train. I believe there is one about half-past four.” “You are so good!” Margery murmured. He bent, and raised her hands to his lips. “Never say that again, my darling; my whole life is for you.” As he left, and looked at the sea, Margery turned once more to the window. Yes, she must go. Suddenly the misery, the weight of her struggle seemed to overcome her. She had sat and dreamed much; she must now put aside all dreams, and turn to life in real earnest. The sea no longer comforted her, and the words her husband had quoted strengthened the desire that had been growing within her to leave it. “The tender grace of a day that is dead Will never come back to me!” The truth, the agony in those words, struck her with bitter force. She roused herself with a great effort, determined to fling aside all her weakness and face her duty. The entrance of Pauline checked her musings. “Miladi is really going!” exclaimed the maid, delight shining in her great black eyes. “Ah, but I am glad! Miladi will be so much better away from this dismal place; it is enough to give one the _migraine_. Miladi is wise.” “You are glad to go, Pauline?” questioned Margery, smiling, as she watched the maid bring out a costly mantle and furs for her coming journey. “_Ma foi, mais oui_, miladi! I love London--the sea is so _triste_. Miladi will take her jewels with her, _sans doute_?” “My jewels, Pauline! I have none.” “_Mais_, how _stupide_! Miladi has never been even shown her beautiful jewels! Ah, miladi must see them--they are _magnifiques_!” Pauline brought the richly-inlaid case to a table near, and spread the contents of the numerous morocco cases on the cloth. Margery looked at the jewels in silence; she did not touch one of the glittering rings or bracelets, or lift the tiara of diamonds from its velvet throne. Their beauty amazed, but did not please her; ambition for such things had no place in her nature. She smiled faintly at Pauline’s delight and many ejaculations. “Milord had them all brought down from the manor for miladi. See--she will wear this when she is presented. Does not miladi like them, and the case with the arms and the letters of miladi’s name? See--how beautiful!” “Yes, they are very beautiful,” replied Lady Court, quietly; “but I shall not wear them just yet, Pauline.” “But miladi must put on a few rings above her _bague de mariage_--_mais oui_--just a simple one; it will look better.” Margery hesitated; then, hearing a slight noise, she turned and met her husband’s tender eyes.