“Twenty-one,” George stammered. “Twenty-one--” From the other room at that moment Miss Porter called. “I am required,” said Miss Ram, “elsewhere. I will return in a moment.” She passed out; closed the door. V. “My darling!” cried George. “Georgie!” They embraced. He held her to him; kissed the soft gold hair. On a movement in the next room his Mary wriggled free. “Tell me.” “By Gad, it's been awful! Did you hear me in that room?” She nodded, laughing at him. He kissed the smiles. “Oh, do be careful! Let _go_, George; let _go_. I couldn't hear what you said. But you were hours--_hours_.” “Years,” said George. “Years. Aeons of time. I have aged considerably. I thought it would never end. It was appalling.” She clasped her pretty hands. “But tell me, George. Do tell me. I don't understand _anything_. What has _happened?_” “Give me time,” George told her. “I am not the same George. The light-hearted George of yore is dead under Miss Ram's chair. I am old and seamed with care.” “George, _do, do_ tell me! Don't fool.” “I'm not fooling. I can't fool. You don't realise what I have been through. You have no heart. I can't fool. When I was a child I thought as a child; I did childish things. But now that I have been through Miss Ram's hands my bright boyhood is sapped. I am old and stricken in years.” “Oh, Georgie, _do, do_ tell me!” This ridiculous George gave a boyish laugh; clasped his Mary again; squeezed her to him till she gasped. “I've got you, Mary!” he said. He kissed the gold hair. “I've got you. I'm going to see you every day. You're coming down to live at Herons' Holt.” Then he told her. VI. Miss Ram returned; directed at George a bow that Was one huge note of interrogation. “Quite satisfactory,” George replied. “I am sure my uncle will agree.” “There is, of course,” objected Miss Ram, “the unfortunate matter of references.” George took a frank air. “Miss Ram, I am quite willing to take your personal assurances on that matter. On behalf of my uncle I accept them.” “I will send a written statement of the matter,” said Miss Ram. Her air was dogged. “I most solemnly assure you that is unnecessary.” Miss Ram killed him with a bow. “It is my custom. I have the reputation of seventeen years to sustain.” George quailed. “Your uncle,” Miss Ram exclaimed, “will also wish to see Miss Humfray. She shall go this afternoon.” “Not this afternoon,” George told her. “No. To-morrow. He could not see her to-day.” “Very well. To-morrow. To-night I will write the references to him. Kindly pay the fee to Miss Porter in the office. Good morning!” She pushed him off with a stabbing bow. He fled. VII.