"I thought she was going to reveal to me some awful secret in your past. She led me aside on the pier with an air of mystery and whispered-- "'I've put some galoshes in the Hold-all--a new pair. I know Jill. She'll be marching about in those thin shoes from sheer vanity--catching cold--and I'm sure _you're_ not fit to nurse her. A pair of babies!' Here she snorted. 'You look after her, young man.' This was her parting benediction!" Jill laughed. "Just like her! I wonder what she's written here." "Come along into the cabin and read it in peace. Oh, by the way--my servant's there--Mario. You must say something nice to him. He's off his head with excitement. He's been with me the last three years--an awfully decent chap, you know. He understands English all right--speaks it a little. Here we are..." He led her into the deck cabin where Mario was unstrapping some rugs. He stood up, tall and eager, as the young couple crossed the threshold. "This is my wife, Mario." No mistaking the proud note in his master's voice! The dark eyes glowed, the white teeth flashed into a smile as Jill greeted him rather shyly. Mario had prepared his speech. "My felicitations to her. And to him. Blessed be the day! Long life and happiness--And many children," he concluded. The colour flamed in her cheeks. "Grazie tante," she responded... Up went Mario's hands, surprised, full of joy and admiration. But McTaggart broke in on the flow of Italian that followed the gesture. "Basta! Basta!"--he drove him out. "You can come back when we get near land." Mario carefully closed the door. He smiled to himself rapturously. "Ahi!--l'amore..." He kissed the tips of his fingers to the sky above. Then he glanced down at the waves. "You stay quiet!" he said to them. Meanwhile, Jill, in the cabin, was looking round, with curious eyes. "Isn't it snug? I'm _so_ excited! You know, I've never travelled before. Oh!--_Peter_...." For McTaggart had caught her eagerly in his arms. "Take off that veil--for goodness' sake! ... Ah! ... I've been simply dying for that!" Jill, breathless, escaped from him, cheeks flushed, her eyes brilliant. "Peter--you brute!" she straightened her hat. "That's a nice thing to say"--he laughed back--"to your lord and master." "You're not!" she mocked, teasing him, "I never said 'obey,' you know." "No wonder the Bishop looked so grave. We'll have to be married over again..." He broke off, his hand to his collar, wriggling his neck. "Confound that boy! I've got rice all down my back." "Good old Roddy--I saw him do it! In the car, coming over the Downs. No ... no!" she stamped her foot.... "Be quiet now, I want to read." She tore open the envelope directed by Aunt Elizabeth. It held another, tightly sealed, and a letter in the pointed hand.