I was rather pleased to hear it. The things young women read nowadays and

profess to enjoy positively frighten me.

 

“You haven’t congratulated me yet, Dr. Sheppard,” said Flora. “Haven’t you

heard?”

 

She held out her left hand. On the third finger of it was an exquisitely set

single pearl.

 

“I’m going to marry Ralph, you know,” she went on. “Uncle is very pleased. It

keeps me in the family, you see.”

 

I took both her hands in mine.

 

“My dear,” I said, “I hope you’ll be very happy.”

 

“We’ve been engaged for about a month,” continued Flora in her cool voice, “but

it was only announced yesterday. Uncle is going to do up Cross-stones, and give

it to us to live in, and we’re going to pretend to farm. Really, we shall hunt

all the winter, town for the season, and then go yachting. I love the sea. And,

of course, I shall take a great interest in the parish affairs, and attend all

the Mothers’ Meetings.”

 

Just then Mrs. Ackroyd rustled in, full of apologies for being late.