leave the Cleeve for along time, I have come over to say good-bye to Lady Staveley—and to you.'
'Are you going away, Mr. Orme?'
'Yes, I shall go abroad,—to Central Africa, I think. It seems a wild sort of place with plenty of animals to kill.'
'But isn't it very dangerous?'
'No, I don't think so. The people always come back alive. I've a sort of idea that nothing will kill me. At any rate I couldn't stay here.'
'Madeline, dear, I've told Mr. Orme that you have accepted Mr. Graham. With a friend such as he is I know that you will not be anxious to keep this a secret.'
'No, mamma.'
'I was sure of that; and now that your papa has consented to it, and that it is quite fixed, I am sure that it is better that he should know it. We shall always look upon him as a very dear friend—if he will allow us.'
Then it was necessary that Peregrine should speak, which he did as follows, holding Madeline's hand for the first three or four seconds of the time:—'Miss Staveley, I will say this of myself, that if ever a fellow loved a girl truly, I loved you;—and I do so now as well or better than ever. It is no good my pretending to be contented, and all that sort of thing. I am not contented, but very unhappy. I have never wished for but one thing in my life; and for that I would have given all that I have in the world. I know that I cannot have it, and that I am not fit to have it.'
'Oh, Mr. Orme, it is not that.'
'But it is that. I knew you before Graham did, and loved you quite as soon. I believe—though of course I don't mean to ask any questions—but I believe I told you so before he ever did.'
'Marriages, they say, are planned in heaven,' said Lady Staveley.
'Perhaps they are. I only wish this one had not been planned there. I cannot help it,—I cannot express my satisfaction, though I will heartily wish for your happiness. I knew from the first how it would be, and was always sure that I was a fool to love you. I should have gone away when I first thought of it, for I used to feel that you never cared to speak to me.'
'Oh, indeed I did,' said poor Madeline.
'No, you did not. And why should you When I had nothing to say for myself? I ought to have fallen in love with some foolish chit with as little wit about her as I have myself.'
'I hope you will fall in love with some very nice girl,' said Lady Staveley; 'and that we shall know her and love her very much.'
'Oh, I dare say I shall marry some day. I feel now as though I should like to break my neck, but I don't suppose I shall. Good-bye, Lady Staveley.'
