“Here she is to-night, receiving with Mrs. Weatherstone--with those Bannerets, Dukes and Earls around her--standing up there like a Princess herself--and her eyes on the door all the time--and tears in 'em, I could swear--because you don't come!” ***** They drew up with a fine curve before the carriage gate. “I'll take 'em all home--they won't be ready for some time yet,” said Mr. Thaddler. “And if you two would like this car I'll send for the other one.” Ross shook hands with him. “You are very kind, Mr. Thaddler,” he said. “I am obliged to you. But I think we will walk.” Tall and impressive, looking more distinguished in a six-year-old evening suit than even the Hoch Geborene in his uniform, he came at last, and Diantha saw him the moment he entered; saw, too, a new light in his eyes. He went straight to her. And Mrs. Weatherstone did not lay it up against him that he had but the briefest of words for his hostess. “Will you come?” he said. “May I take you home--now?” She went with him, without a word, and they walked slowly home, by far outlying paths, and long waits on rose-bowered seats they knew. The moon filled all the world with tender light and the orange blossoms flooded the still air with sweetness. “Dear,” said he, “I have been a proud fool--I am yet--but I have come to see a little clearer. I do not approve of your work--I cannot approve of it--but will you forgive me for that and marry me? I cannot live any longer without you?” “Of course I will,” said Diantha. CHAPTER XIV. AND HEAVEN BESIDE. They were married while the flowers were knee-deep over the sunny slopes and mesas, and the canyons gulfs of color and fragrance, and went for their first moon together to a far high mountain valley hidden among wooded peaks, with a clear lake for its central jewel. A month of heaven; while wave on wave of perfect rest and world-forgetting oblivion rolled over both their hearts. They swam together in the dawn-flushed lake, seeing the morning mists float up from the silver surface, breaking the still reflection of thick trees and rosy clouds, rejoicing in the level shafts of forest filtered sunlight. They played and ran like children, rejoiced over their picnic meals; lay flat among the crowding flowers and slept under the tender starlight. “I don't see,” said her lover, “but that my strenuous Amazon is just as much a woman as--as any woman!” “Who ever said I wasn't?” quoth Diantha demurely. A month of perfect happiness. It was so short it seemed but a moment; so long in its rich perfection that they both agreed if life brought no further joy this was Enough. Then they came down from the mountains and began living. ***** Day service is not so easily arranged on a ranch some miles from town. They tried it for a while, the new runabout car bringing out a girl in the morning early, and taking Diantha in to her office.