They took seats facing each other, low seats that touched; but when they joined hands a second time he dropped to his knees, asking many questions already answered in her regular and frequent letters. News is so different by word of mouth when the mouth's the sweetest, sacredest ever kissed. "And how's father?" As if he didn't know to the last detail! All at once--"Why didn't you say you were coming?" he savagely demanded. "No matter," his mother replied, "I'm glad I didn't, things have happened so pleasantly. I've seen your whole Royal Street coterie, except, of course----" "Yes, of course." The mother told her evening's experience. "And you like my friends?" "Why, Geoffry, you're right to love them. But, now, how came you back so soon from St. What's-his-name?" "Opposing counsel compromised the case without trial. Mother, it's the greatest professional victory I've ever won." "Oh, how fine! Geoffry, how are you getting on, professionally, anyhow?" "Better than my best hope, dear; far better. I've shot right up!" "Then why do you look so weary and care-worn?" "I don't. I'm older, that's all, dear." "Oh! Prospering and care-free, and yet you'd drop everything and go to France, to war." "No, dearie, no. I'm sorry I wrote you what I did, but I only said I felt like it. I don't now. I envied those Royal Street boys, who could do that with a splendid conscience. I--I can't. I can't go killing men, even murderers, for a remote personal reason. I must wait till my own country calls and my patriotism is pure patriotism. That's higher honor--to _her_, isn't it?" "It is to you; I'm not bothering about her." "You will when you see her, first sight. To-morrow afternoon, you say. Wish I could be there when your eyes first light on her! Mother, dearie, isn't it as much she as I you've come to see?" "Well, if it is, what then?" "I'm glad. But I draw the line at seeing. _Help_, you understand, I don't want--I won't have!" "Why, Geoffry, I----!" "Oh, I say it because there isn't one of that kind-hearted coterie who hasn't wanted to put in something in my favor. I forbid! A dozen to one--I won't allow it! No, nor any two to one, not even we two. Win or lose, I go it alone. 'Twould be fatal to do otherwise if I would. You'll see that the minute you see her." "Why, Geoffry! What a heat!" "Oh, I'll be the only one burned. Good night. I can't see you to-morrow before evening. Shall we dine here?" "Yes. Oh, Geoffry--that New York letter! Manuscript accepted?" A shade crossed the son's brow. "Don't you think I ought to tell her first?" "Her first," the mother--the _mother_--repeated after him. "Maybe so; I don't care." They kissed. "Good night." "Good night . . . good night . . . good night, dear, darling mother. Good night!" XLVIII At the batten door of her high, tight garden-fence Mlle. Yvonne, we repeat, let in Mme. De l'Isle and Mrs. Chester.