"Yes, I know--like the solar system in its nebulous state. Well, hurry and make those worlds take shape. I can give you sixty seconds to find that I'm the North Star. Ach! I have the Doctor von Herzlich been ge-speaking with--come, come! What's the use of any more delay? I've wasted nearly three hours here now, dilly-dallying along. But then, a woman never does know her own mind. "Put a thing before her--all as plain as the multiplication table--and she must use up just so much good time telling a man that he's crazy--and shedding tears because he won't admit that two times two are thirty-seven." She was silent and motionless for another five minutes, thinking intently. "Come, time's up." She arose. "I'm ready. I shall marry you, if you think I'm the woman to help you in that big, new life of yours. They meant me not to know about Fred's marriage until afterward." He kissed her. "I feel so rested and quiet now, as if I'd taken down a big old gate and let the peace rush in on me. I'm sure it's right. I'm sure I can help you." She picked up her hat and gloves. "Now I'll go bathe my eyes and fix my hair." "I can't let you out of my sight, yet. I'm incredulous. Perhaps in seventy-five or eighty years--" "I thought you were so sure." "While I can reach you, yes." She gave a low, delicious little laugh. She reached both arms up around him, pulled down his head and kissed him. "There--_boy!_" She took up the hat again. "I'll be down in a moment." "I'll be up in three, if you're not." When she had gone he picked up an envelope and put a bill inside. "Jarvis," he called. The butler came up from below, dressed for the street. "Jarvis, put this envelope in the inside of that excellent black coat of yours and hand it--afterward--to the gentleman we're going to do business with." "Yes, Mr. Bines." "And put your cravat down in the back, Jarvis--it makes you look excited the way it is now." "Yes, sir; thank you, sir!" "Is Briggs ready?" "She's waiting, sir." "Go out and get in the carriage, both of you." "Yes, sir!" He stood in the hallway waiting for her. It was a quarter-past ten. In another moment she rustled softly down to him. "I'm trusting so much to you, and you're trusting so much to me. It's _such_ a rash step!" "Must I--" "No, I'm going. Couldn't we stop and take Aunt Cornelia?" "Aunt Cornelia won't have a chance to worry about this until it's all over. We'll stop there then, if you like." "We'll try Doctor Prendle, then. He's almost sure to be in." "It won't make any difference if he isn't. We'll find one. Those horses are rested. They can go all night if they must." "I have Grandmother Loekermann's wedding-ring--of course you didn't fetch one. Trust a man to forget anything of importance." His grasp of her hand during the ride did not relax. CHAPTER XLI. The New Argonauts Mrs. van Geist came flustering out to the carriage.