name now would be sacrilege. His native Irish wit stood him in good stead:
"That is the name for to-day—darling. There can be none like that—for to-day. We began with it. It took me on its wings up to heaven. Let me stay there—for to-day. For to-day we are true husband and wife—are we not?"
"Yes dear!" she answered simply. He went on:
"To-morrow … we can be grave to-morrow; and then I can give you another name to use—if you wish it!"
"I do!" she said with reverence. She accepted and returned, the kiss which followed. This closed the incident, and for a little space they sat hand in hand, his arm again round her whilst again she had linked her arm in his. Presently he said:
"And now Joy dear, won't you tell me all about yourself. You know that as yet you and I know very little about each other's surroundings. I want specially to know to-day dear, for to-morrow I want to see your father and it will be better to go equipped." Joy felt quite in a flutter. At last she was going to learn something about the man she loved. She would tell him everything, and he would … Her thoughts were interrupted by her companion going on:
"And then to-morrow when we have talked I can tell you everything.…"
"Everything!" then there was something to conceal! Her heart fell. But as the man continued, her train of thought was again interrupted:
"When you see him to-night you had better …"
Suddenly she jumped to her feet in a sort of fright. Seeing her face he too sprang up, giving, with the instinct of his campaigning a quick look around as though some danger threatened:
"What is it Joy? What is wrong?…" She almost gasped out:
