Borlase had not gone much farther when he saw Anna at the other side of the street. She had seen him first, however, and had lowered her parasol to hide her blush. He crossed over, and she waited on the edge of the pavement. It seemed to him that all the sunshine pouring into the street settled for the moment on her sparkling face. But her manner was as frank as usual. This gave him a slight shock of disappointment, for he had counted upon a shadow of the remembrance of their last parting. He was far from guessing that this very remembrance gave a buoyancy to her tones and air born of the fear that otherwise he might think she remembered too well, and had dwelt on it with wonder and happy hope. He turned and walked on with her. 'I have just had a most unexpected pleasure,' he said. 'And what is that?' said Anna. 'I am to be godfather to little Miss Deborah Juliana.' 'Indeed! Everything combines to overwhelm this baby with good luck at the beginning of her life.' 'If she is overwhelmed, it won't be good luck,' said Borlase. His fair face flushed with pleasure and he laughed light-heartedly. He had been premature in resenting a frankness which led to such a mood. 'Are you as pleased as I am, Miss Hugo?' he asked, glancing down at her. 'At baby's impending discomfiture? Are you always so benevolently disposed towards the babies, Mr. Borlase?' 'No indeed. If I have been asked once to be sponsor in this parish I have been asked a score of times and have always refused.' 'Then you are a most inconsistent individual. What excuse can you offer for breaking your rule?' 'That one must draw the line somewhere.' 'So you will be open to all offers?' 'On the contrary this is the only one I shall accept. The rule immediately comes into practice again. No other baby would have induced me to break it.' 'But you won't have the felicity of standing by Mrs. Marlowe. Mrs. Hennifer is her proxy.' 'I shall have another felicity, however.' 'And what is that?' 'The felicity of standing by you.'