We walked quickly across the Park, and met Morris with her fresh basket of violets. She walked behind, and as we crossed the streets we kept rather close to each other, for although, of course, we did not touch, even once, over and over I repeated to my own heart, "Heather, you are engaged to Vernon Carbury--Heather, some day Vernon Carbury will be your husband--Vernon Carbury, Vernon Carbury. And yet, a few days ago, you hardly knew that you cared for him; but you know it now--yes, you know it now!" At last we reached Hanbury Square. There is no more fashionable square in the best part of the West of London, there are no finer houses to be found anywhere. I ran up the steps of the house, and Captain Carbury did likewise, and it was he who rang the bell. A powdered footman opened the door, and Captain Carbury said: "Is Major Grayson in?" "Major Dalrymple is in, sir." "Will you say that Captain Carbury has called to see him? Ask him if he will be good enough to give me a few moments of his time." The man opened the door of one of the sitting-rooms, and Vernon and I went in. "I dare not ask you to kiss me yet," he said; "but I will after--after I have seen your father." "Please, Vernon," I said. "What is it, my dearest darling?" "May I come with you to father?" "If you really wish it, of course you may; but I should prefer to be alone with him just now." Before either of us had time to utter another word the door was opened, and Lady Helen Dalrymple and my father entered the room side by side. Lady Helen gave a freezing bow to Captain Carbury, who was a very slight acquaintance of hers, and a more freezing stare at me; and then she said: "Will you have the goodness to go upstairs, Heather?" But Captain Carbury interfered. "If you will permit me, Lady Helen, I should like Miss Heather Grayson to remain where she is." He then approached my father, stood stock still for a minute, and then held out his hand. My father looked at him stiffly; then he spoke: "You know who I was, you know what happened to me, and you know exactly what I am now." "I know everything," said Captain Carbury. "Knowing everything, you wish to shake hands with me?" "I hope you will accept my hand," replied Captain Carbury. My father stretched his out, and Captain Carbury wrung it. "Well, of all the extraordinary things to happen!" began Lady Helen. She sank into a low chair, arranged herself comfortably and becomingly, and looked from father to Captain Carbury. Then again she glanced at me, and when she caught my eye she looked in the direction of the door; but I would not take her hint--at that moment I was past caring about her.