"MY DEAR MADAME (he said),

"You will see by the enclosed newspaper cutting that I obtained my

decree of divorce to-day. By the English Law I shall not, however, be

free to marry again till the decree is confirmed six months hence. In

the meanwhile I have the honor to ask to be considered a formal suitor

for the hand of your daughter. I shall write again in a few days and beg

you both to come and stay at my river house.

"I am, dear Madame,

"Sincerely yours,

"SOAMES FORSYTE."

Having sealed and posted this letter, he went into the dining-room.

Three mouthfuls of soup convinced him that he could not eat; and,

causing a cab to be summoned, he drove to Paddington Station and took

the first train to Reading. He reached his house just as the sun went

down, and wandered out on to the lawn. The air was drenched with the

scent of pinks and picotees in his flower-borders. A stealing coolness

came off the river.

Rest-peace! Let a poor fellow rest! Let not worry and shame and anger

chase like evil night-birds in his head! Like those doves perched

half-sleeping on their dovecot, like the furry creatures in the woods on

the far side, and the simple folk in their cottages, like the trees

and the river itself, whitening fast in twilight, like the darkening

cornflower-blue sky where stars were coming up--let him cease from

himself, and rest!




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