They were sitting alone together in the West Parlour, chatting in the cosy intimacy of the firelight.
"I'd rather you saw it when it _is_ my own home," she returned with a rueful smile.

"It will look very different then, I hope." "Yet I'm glad to see it now," he repeated.
There was a slight emphasis on the word "now," and Nan glanced up in surprise.
"Why now particularly ?" she asked, smiling.

"Are you going to cold-shoulder me after I'm married ?" Lord St.John shook his head.
"That's very likely, isn't it ?" he said, smiling.

"No, my dear, that's not the reason." He paused as though searching for words, then went on quietly: "The silver chord is getting a bit frayed, you know, Nan.

I'm an old man, and I'm just beginning to know it." She caught her breath quickly and her face whitened.