"Oh, it is all very well for you to talk like that, Ellis; but nothing

you say can lessen the bitterness of parting from Valmai. It is my own

wish to go, and nothing shall prevent me; but I could bear the

separation with much more fortitude if only--"

And he stopped and looked landwards, where the indistinct grey blur was

beginning to take the pattern of fields and cliffs and beach.

"If what?" said Ellis, shifting the sail a little.

"If only I were married to Valmai."

"Phew! what next?" said Ellis, "married! Cardo Wynne, you are bringing

things to a climax. My dear fellow, it would be far harder to part

from a wife of a week than from a sweetheart of a year. That's my idea

of wedded bliss, you see."

"Nonsense; it would not!" said Cardo. "It would give me a sense of

security--a feeling that, come fair or come foul, nothing could really

come between me and Valmai; and besides, I should not want her to be

the wife of a week--I should be satisfied to be married even on the

morning of my departure. Come, Ellis, be my friend in this matter.

You promised when I first told you of my love for Valmai that you would

help us out of our difficulties. You are an ordained priest; can you

not marry us in the old church on the morning of the 14th? You know

the Burrawalla sails on the 15th, and I go down to Fordsea the day

before, but not till noon. Can you not marry us in the morning?"

"Has Valmai consented?" asked Ellis, sinking down in the prow of the

boat and looking seriously at his companion.

"I--I--have not pressed the question, but if she agrees, will you do

it?"

"Do it? My dear fellow, you talk as if it were a very simple affair.

Do it, indeed! Where are the banns?"

"I would buy a license."

"And the ring?"

"At Caer Madoc." And Cardo began to look in deadly earnest.

"And what about the witnesses?"

"I have even thought of that. Are not your two friends, Wilson and

Chester, coming to Abersethin next week?"

"So they are," said Ellis, "to stay until I leave. The very thing.

They will be delighted with such a romantic little affair. But, Cardo,

how about my duty to your father, who has been a very kind friend to

me?"

"Well," said Cardo, "shall you be doing me an unkindness or the reverse

when you make Valmai my wife? Is she not all that a woman can be? has

she not every virtue and grace--"

"Oh, stop, my dear fellow! don't trouble to go through the inventory.

I'll allow you at once she is perfect in mind, body, and soul--and the

man to whom I marry her will owe me an eternal debt of gratitude!"




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