They bought each other as presents the following books: _The Dramatic Works of J. M. Synge, The Love Letters of Abelard and Heloise, The Marriage of Figaro, Tom Jones_, and six volumes of _The Works of Henrik Ibsen_, which were going cheap. These they ordered to be sent to her rooms, and with the bookseller's blessing--so hearty that it was well worth having--on their happiness they set out to reproduce in every detail the day of their first excursion. They went by Tube to Highgate, and walked to Hampstead across the Heath, but when they came to the inn with the swing-boats and roundabouts they found them deserted, and were annoyed. They wanted the story told over and over again in exact replica, not varying by a simple detail. As that was impossible they had tea at the inn, and he told her the full and true story how he met her in the bookshop in the Charing Cross Road. She listened like a happy child, and she asked,-- 'Did he love her?' 'As the earth the sun.' But as they left the inn, history did repeat itself, for a girl turned and watched Clara enviously and said to her friend,-- 'My! I wisht I had legs like that _and_ silk stockings.' So the day sped by, and in the evening they went down to the Imperium where it reared its brilliantly lit magnificence. The performance had begun. They read the placards outside the doors. Already there was a new poster with a flashy drawing of Ariel, in its vulgar way not unlike Clara. There were also posters reproducing the notices of the Ariel and the Prospero. 'And Ariel is gone,' said Rodd. 'I left a note for him last night,' said Clara. 'He'll probably sue me for breach of contract. He won't miss a chance of an advertisement.' Rodd took her home, and they arranged that they would be married at once. Neither was quite sure whether the absurd marriage with Charles would make theirs illegal, but they decided to risk it. GLASGOW: W. COLLINS SONS AND CO. LTD.