His chief motive, it was reported, had been less one of love than a wish to provide a companion for his aged mother.
Selina was practical enough to know that she had lost a good and possibly the only opportunity of settling in life after what had happened, and for a moment she regretted her independence.

But she became calm on reflection, and to fortify herself in her course started that afternoon to tend the sergeant-major's grave, in which she took the same sober pleasure as at first.
On reaching the churchyard and turning the corner towards the spot as usual, she was surprised to perceive another woman, also apparently a respectable widow, and with a tiny boy by her side, bending over Clark's turf, and spudding up with the point of her umbrella some ivy-roots that Selina had reverently planted there to form an evergreen mantle over the mound.
'What are you digging up my ivy for!' cried Selina, rushing forward so excitedly that Johnny tumbled over a grave with the force of the tug she gave his hand in her sudden start.
'Your ivy ?' said the respectable woman.
'Why yes! I planted it there--on my husband's grave.' 'Your husband's!' 'Yes.

The late Sergeant-Major Clark.

Anyhow, as good as my husband, for he was just going to be.' 'Indeed.

But who may be my husband, if not he?
I am the only Mrs.John Clark, widow of the late Sergeant-Major of Dragoons, and this is his only son and heir.' 'How can that be ?' faltered Selina, her throat seeming to stick together as she just began to perceive its possibility.