"I do; you were running away. It's your instinct to run away--I love you for it--it's what first made me want to follow. But I can't stand your running away much longer. Look, Rachel, can you see? I'm holding out my arms. Rachel--I can't wait----" For an instant longer she held out, while he stood silent, holding himself that he might have the long-dreamed-of joy of receiving her surrender. Then, all at once, he realised that it had been worth all his days of patient and impatient waiting, for turning to him at last she gave herself, with the abandon such natures are capable of showing when they yield after long resistance, into the arms which closed hungrily around her. * * * * * If anybody could have told what happened during the next twenty-four hours it would have been Juliet, for it was she who took the helm of affairs. She lay awake half the night, or what there was left of it after the doctor had come back with Rachel and told his friends what had happened and what was yet to happen, planning to make the hasty wedding as ideal as might be. She was a wonderful planner, and a most energetic and enthusiastic young matron as well, so by five in the afternoon she had accomplished all that had seemed to her good. Rachel's part was only to see that her trunk was packed, her explanations offered and good-byes said, and her choice made of several exquisite white gowns which Juliet had had sent out from town. "But I can't be married in white, Mrs. Robeson," she had said protestingly when Juliet had opened the boxes. "Yes, you can--and must. This is your only bridal, dear. The other--you know that was only what the doctor said of it once--'your hand in his to the last'--the hand of a friend. But this--isn't this different?" Rachel had turned away her face. "Yes, this is different," she had owned. "But----" "He asked me to beg you for him to have it so," Juliet urged, and Rachel was silent. So the simplest of the white frocks it was, and in it Rachel looked as Juliet had meant she should. Only Judith and Wayne Carey were asked down to see them married. To humour the doctor the ceremony was performed in the orchard, near the entrance to the willow path. The time afterward was short, and before she knew it Juliet was bidding the two good-bye. "I've got her," said the doctor, looking from Juliet to Rachel, who stood at his side. "She's mine--all mine. I have to keep saying it over and over to make sure." "For your comfort," answered Juliet, smiling at them both, "I'll tell you that she looks as if she were yours." "Does she?" he cried, laughing happily. "How does she look?" He turned and surveyed her. "She looks very proud and sweet and still--she's always been those things--and very beautiful--more beautiful than ever before. But do you think she really looks as if she were mine? Tell me how."