He went to the window, drew back the heavy rep curtains, unbarred the shutters, and looked out. There was, as yet, no sign of dawn, but through the frosty pane, right before him, as a lamp in the purple sky, shone the bright morning star. Cold though he was, stiff from his long night vigil, David threw up the window-sash, that he might see the star shine clearly, undimmed by frosty fronds, traced on the window-pane. He dropped on one knee, folding his arms upon the woodwork of the sill. "My God," he said, looking upward, his eyes on the morning star; "I thank Thee for light; I thank Thee for love; I thank Thee for the guiding star! I thank Thee, that heavenly love and earthly love can meet, in one bright radiant Ideal. I thank Thee that, expecting nothing in return, I love Diana!" CHAPTER XII SUSPENSE "You old flirt!" laughed Diana. "How many more hearts of men do you contemplate capturing, before you shuffle off this mortal coil? Chappie, you are a hardened old sinner! However, I suppose if one had committed matrimony three times already, one would feel able to continue doing so, with impunity, as many more times as circumstances allowed. Did poor old Dr. Dapperly actually propose?" Mrs. Marmaduke Vane smiled complacently, as she put a heaped-up spoonful of whipped cream into her coffee. "He made his meaning very clear, my dear Diana," she whispered hoarsely; "and he held my arm more tightly than was necessary, as he assisted me to the motor. He remarked that the front steps were slippery; but they were not. A liberal supply of gravel had been placed upon them." "Had he been having _much_ champagne?" asked Diana. "Oh, no, I remember! It was tea, not dinner. One does not require to hold on to people's arms tightly when going down steps with a liberal supply of gravel on them, after tea. Chappie dear, congratulations! I think it must be a case." "He made his meaning very clear," repeated Mrs. Vane, helping herself to omelet and mushrooms. "Isn't it rather hard on god-papa?" inquired Diana, her eyes dancing. "I have a great respect for Mr. Goldsworthy," whispered Mrs. Vane, solemnly; "and I should grieve to wound or to disappoint him. But you see--there was Sarah." "Ah, yes," said Diana; "of course; there was Sarah. And Sarah has god-papa well in hand." "She is an impertinent woman," said Mrs. Vane; "and requires keeping in her place." "Oh, what happened?" cried Diana. "Do tell me, Chappie dear!" But Mrs. Vane shook her head, rattling her bangles as she attacked a cold pheasant; and declined to tell "what happened." The morning sun shone brightly in through the oriel window of the pleasant breakfast-room, touching to gold Diana's shining hair, and causing the delicate tracery of frost to vanish quickly from the window-panes.