"I would prefer trying to realize it without. Ah, my worthy Doctor Oleander, I think I have outwitted you nicely!" "I have been so bewildered, and so flurried, and so stunned from the first," said Mollie, "that I can not properly comprehend anything, but I should like to hear how you have brought all this about." "Why," said Mr. Ingelow, "Mrs. Sharpe told me." "Yes; but you sent Mrs. Sharpe here in the first place; she told me that. How did you know I was here?" "Ah! thereby hangs a tale--too long to tell at this sharp pace. Wait until to-morrow, Miss Mollie. There's our vehicle yonder. I might tell you by the way, but the road is long, and the night is chill, and I am to be charioteer. I couldn't do proper justice to the subject, you perceive; and besides, I want you to cuddle up and go to sleep. Here we are. Pile in, Mrs. Sharpe; the back seat, if you please. Miss Dane and I will sit in front and shield you from the inclemency of the weather." "Much obliged to you, sir," Mrs. Sharpe said, dryly, obeying orders, nevertheless. "I'll sit back with Mrs. Sharpe," said Mollie, sensitively shrinking. "You'll do nothing of the sort!" retorted Mr. Ingelow, authoritatively. "You'll do precisely as I tell you! You and Mrs. Sharpe are both in my power, and if you don't keep uncommonly civil and docile, I'll run off with the pair of you and start a seraglio! There, ma'am, you're comfortable, I hope? Now, the sooner you go to sleep the better." He helped Mrs. Sharpe into the back seat of the two-seated buggy, wrapped her up, and then assisted Mollie up in front. "A splendid night for our business," he said, getting in beside her and gathering up the reins. "Now then, off we go, over 'brake, bush and scaur,' and good-bye to Doctor Oleander and the trip to Cuba!" Obedience was not very hard in this instance. Miss Dane snugged up nice and close to Mr. Ingelow, and felt very comfortable indeed. As for him, there was a glow of happiness about his heart like the halo round a full moon. They would have been satisfied, just then, to sit side by side and drive along in a glory of moonshine forever and ever. "Where are we going?" Mollie asked once. "To the city--to New York." "Oh! I know. But where?" "Wherever you please, Miss Mollie. That will be Mr. Walraven's, I presume?" "But--" Mollie hesitated. "What?" he said, in surprise. "Don't you want to go home?" "Very much, Mr. Ingelow. It isn't that." "Well, what is it, then?" "Mr. Ingelow, you'll think me very silly, I dare say; but I don't want to go up there in a matter-of-fact sort of way at day-break to-morrow morning, in this double buggy, with you and Mrs. Sharpe. I should like--how shall I say it?--a little _coup de théâtre_!" "Oh! I understand," Mr. Ingelow laughed. "It is quite natural. I should like it myself. And, by Jove! I've got a capital idea." Mollie looked up brightly.