Peggy gave the matter her grave consideration, and decided that it would. "But you must kneel down," she said. There was no sound in the passage now. Noel peered in that direction, but detected nothing. Patiently he slipped on to his knees, and began to recite the Lord's Prayer. Considering the difficulties under which he laboured, he acquitted himself with considerable credit. Peggy at least was fully satisfied, a fact to which her fervent "Amen"! abundantly testified. She took up her own petitions at once quite impressively, albeit with slightly accelerated speed to make up for lost time. At the end of her hymn she paused. "Would you like me to ask God to make me grow up quick so that we can be married soon, Noel?" she asked. "I shouldn't." said Noel. "Not?" The wedgewood-blue eyes opened wide. "No. Very likely you won't want to marry me when you're grown up," Noel explained. Peggy was amazed at the bare suggestion of such a possibility. "Why, of course I'll want to marry you," she declared, hugging him. "You're the wery nicest man that ever was." "No, I'm not. I'm a rotter," Noel made brief and unvarnished reply. "No one knows what I am--except myself. And no one ever will," he added almost fiercely. And then, with lightning change of front, he laughed. "Never mind! We'll go on being sweethearts. That's better than nothing, isn't it?" Peggy was looking at him very seriously. "I'd go on lovin' you even if--if--you was to kill someone," she said. "Thanks, Peg-top! Well, I've never done that yet, though there's no knowing how soon I may begin," said Noel carelessly. "Oh, but it's very wicked to kill people." There was shocked reproof in Peggy's tone. "Depends," said Noel judicially. "Sometimes it's the only thing to do." "Oh, Noel!" Peggy's disapproval was evidently struggling with her loyalty. Something white gleamed in the doorway, and Noel's eyes suddenly sparkled. He abandoned the argument without a second thought. "Pray come in!" he said. "Peggy is holding a reception. She always receives at this hour. Now, Peggy, stand up and tell this lady my name!" "May I really come in for a moment?" said Olga. She stood hesitating on the threshold, a slim, girlish figure. "Don't let me disturb you! Mrs. Musgrave thinks she must have left her rings here. How do you do?" She gave her hand to Noel who had moved to meet her He laughed audaciously into her face. "Awfully pleased to meet you, Miss--er--Ratcliffe! Why didn't you come in before? I was in a beastly tight fix, and should have been glad of your assistance. I knew you were there." "Did you?" she said. The smile that had grown so rare flashed over her face in response to his. "I wasn't eavesdropping really," she assured him. "I was only waiting for a suitable moment to present myself." "Could any moment be anything else?" he asked her, bowing deeply. She laughed at that without the faintest coquetry. "Very easily, I should say. Isn't little Peggy going to bed?"