For whatever else a woman marries in a man, one thing in him she must marry: a rock. Times will come when she will storm and rage around that rock; but the storms cannot last forever, and when they are over, the rock will be there. By degrees there will be less storm. Polly's very loyalty to me inspires her to take possession of my whole life; to enter into all my affairs. I am to her a house, no closet of which must remain locked. Thus there are certain closets which she repeatedly tries to open. I can tell by her very expression when she is going to try once more. Were they opened, she would not find much; but it is much to be guarded that she shall not open them. The matter is too trivial to explain to Tilly as fact and too important as principle. Harbour no fear that Polly knows from me anything about the ferns! When I am with Polly, my thoughts are not on the grass of the fields. Let me hear at once how the trouble turns out with Tilly. I must not close without making a profound obeisance to your new acquaintances--the Chamberlains. BEN. TILLY SNOWDEN TO POLLY BOLES _June 15._ DEAR POLLY: Something extremely disagreeable has come up between Beverley and me. He tells me we're not to go to England on our wedding journey as anyone's guests: we travel as ordinary American tourists unknown to all England. You can well understand what this means to me: you have watched all along how I have pinched on my small income to get ready for this beautiful summer. There has been a quarrel of some kind between Mr. Blackthorne and Beverley. Beverley refuses to tell me the nature of the quarrel. I insisted that it was my right to know and he insisted that it is a man's affair with another man and not any woman's business. Think of a woman marrying a man who lays it down as a law that his affairs are none of her business! I gave Beverley to understand that our marriage was deferred for the summer. He broke off the engagement. I had not meant to tell you anything, since I am coming to-night. I have merely wished you to understand how truly anxious I am to see you, even forgetting your last letter--no, not forgetting it, but overlooking it. Remember you _then_ broke an appointment with me; _this_ time keep your appointment--being loyal! The messenger will wait for your reply, stating whether the way is clear for me to come. TILLY. POLLY BOLES TO TILLY SNOWDEN _June 15._ DEAR TILLY: Dr. Mullen had an appointment with me for to-night, but I have written to excuse myself, and I shall be waiting most impatiently. The coast will be clear and I hope the night will be.