Part 16 (2/2)

”Yes, doesn't it? Isn't it splendid? And she loved it. Her only worry was that _bits_ of her looked so nice, that she was longing all the time to see herself full length.--However, '_Jim_' has taken her photograph!”

”I hope he will make her happy. Katrine has a difficult nature, and it was such a very short acquaintance.”

”Oh, well! but they knew a great deal of each other.”

Grizel's smile was enigmatic, for the secret of Katrine Beverley's correspondence with her unknown lover was not divulged outside the family circle. She said good-bye to the Vicar's wife at the parting of the way, and turned in at the gate of her own domain.

Daffodils were nodding among the gra.s.s. A bed beneath the window was ablaze with many-coloured anemones, the s.h.i.+mmer of green was on the trees; and at the study window stood Martin watching for her return.

Grizel's heart swelled within her. Despite the enlargement made for her benefit, despite the general air of freshness and prosperity, it was after all but a modest establishment, ludicrously small when contrasted with her former homes, yet for Grizel all the riches and treasures of life were contained within those four walls. With the clanging of the gate the world was shut out, and she entered home as a sanctuary. Most of us are so occupied regretting past joys, and planning joys for the future, that it is only at rare moments that we realise the joy of the present. ”I was so happy.”

”I shall be so happy.” These are expressions of daily use. The sound of ”I _am_ happy,” is so rare as to bring with it the effect of shock.

Grizel was one of the fortunate ones who continually realise the happiness of the present, but even she had her positives and superlatives. Since hearing the news of the hour she had been conscious of a weight of depression, but with the opening of the gate that weight disappeared. It seemed as if no joy that life could have to bestow could exceed that of home-coming, with the sight of Martin waiting for her return!

She smiled in answer to his waving hand, but his quick eye caught the sobered expression on her face, and he hurried to meet her, and drew her into the drawing-room.

”Anything the matter, my precious one? Anything troubling you?”

Grizel leant her head on his shoulder with a forgetfulness of coiffure which in itself would have raised his apprehension. Her hands clasped themselves round his arm, she drew a long trembling sigh.

”Oh, Martin, hold me close! Don't let anything happen!”

”What _has_ happened, dear, to upset you like this?”

”Nothing; but I'm afraid. Oh, if we are very good, and go on being thankful, and doing our best, need we have troubles to spoil it?

It's... it's _Paradise_, Martin, and I want it to last!”

Martin's face quivered above her bowed head. He had lived in Paradise before, and it had not lasted. He knew that it never did last, that sweet and dear as might be the after life, it was only for a brief period that human beings could remain in their Eden. He held her close, with a jealous touch.

”So long as we have each other, we can bear the rest. Honestly, dear, we shall have less to bear than most people, for the simple reason that we won't _let_ things trouble! When one has gained the big treasure, the gnats can't sting. It's not like you, Grizel, to be afraid!”

”I am hideously afraid, but it's your fault. It's loving you so much that has turned me into a coward. I'm afraid of everything where you are concerned,--draughts and drains, and accidents, and editors, and letters in blue envelopes, and perils by night and by day. Every day I bury you of a new disease. If you sneeze it's consumption, if you cough it's pneumonia, if you scratch your finger, it's blood-poisoning. You looked pale this morning, so it was pernicious anaemia.” A little laugh came with the last words, and she raised her head to peer into his face.

”_Do_ you feel by any chance as if you had pernicious anaemia?”

Martin took her by the shoulders and led her to the door.

”I shall do, if you keep me waiting any longer for lunch. Go upstairs and take off your hat.”

But Grizel lingered by the door.

”Do you about me?”

”Do I what about you?”

”Think of all the gruesome things that might happen? Lie awake at night imagining them.--Get in a panic every time I am five minutes late?”

”You were over five minutes late to-day, but my pulse was normal. I merely concluded that you had met a friend and were enjoying a gossip.”

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