The couple, leaning over the bulwarks, indifferent to their surroundings, had much to say to one another as the _Schiller_ forged along through water of a deep peacock blue, shaded in the distance to a silvered surface. By degrees, as Letty’s tongue became loosened, she gave her companion a rapid account of her life during the past seven years, and it was evident to her listener (though not to herself) that her existence had been one of entire self-sacrifice for the child. He on his part, talked of the death of his father, of Frances, of his brother officers, his work, and his prospects. “I’ve just got a shove up,” he said, “and been posted to a good job. I’m on my way back from leave, and taking the Italian lakes _en route_, as I have a week to spare. I saw Mrs. Hesketh at home; she had lately come back from Switzerland. She never told me that she had seen _you_.” “No, and when she was out here, she never told me that you were at home on leave.” “I suppose she thinks silence is best--and that all is over.” Seeing Letty’s bare hand lying on the rail, he took it up, and said: “I say, you don’t mean that you are still wearing that fellow’s ring!” In another second, it was removed from her finger, the next, it glittered through the sunshine, and fell into the blue water, with a faint splash. “Oh!” she stammered, “how dared you? how could you?” “How could _you_, Letty?” “Well, I shall have to replace it at once.--I wonder if Cara will miss it?” “What harm if she does! Look here, Letty, I believe good fortune deliberately arranged this meeting, and now I intend to make hay whilst the sun shines. Will you marry me, and come with me to India?” “Lancelot!” she exclaimed, raising a scared face to his. “You take my breath away. Are you crazy?” “Never more absolutely sane, or sensible, in my life. We have lived down scandal, I hope and believe, and what is there now to stand between us? Blagdon is by all accounts consoled--I say no more--and you are free. Do you return to the farm by the next boat, make all arrangements, pack, and order what you require in the way of outfit in Lucerne. For my part, I shall look up the Consul, and the chaplain, wire for another passage, and as Mrs. Lumley, you will sail from Genoa this day week.” “No, no!” she insisted, “don’t go on.” “But I haven’t half done yet! You will like India; you were born out there, and have often heard the East a-calling. You know you have always wished to see it, and India will like you. After making a bad start at seventeen, you begin life over again at twenty-nine, and I declare to you, Letty, you don’t look a day older than twenty-four--you and Cara might be sisters. Now what do you say?” and his eyes held hers with an intentness remarkable in human gaze. After a pause she faltered: “And what about Cara?” “Cara!” he echoed. “Why, you will leave her at home, to be sure. You have done your share for her nobly, and it’s time she went to school--she is a big girl for her age.”