But what a journey it will be! To London!" Absorbed in thought, she started as a tap came at the cottage door,--and rising, she hurriedly put the package out of sight, just as Angus entered.
"Mary," he said, as he came towards her--"Do you know, I've been thinking we had better get quietly married as soon as possible ?" She smiled.
"Why?
Is the book finished ?" she asked.
"No, it isn't.

I wish it was! But it will be finished in another month----" "Then let us wait that other month," she said.

"You will be happier, I know, if the work is off your mind." "Yes--I shall be happier--but Mary, I can't bear to think of you all alone in this little cottage----" She gently interrupted him.
"I was all alone for five years after my father died," she said.

"And though I was sometimes a little sad, I was not dull, because I always had work to do.

Dear old David was a good companion, and it was pleasant to take care of him--indeed, this last year has been quite a happy one for me, and I shan't find it hard to live alone in the cottage for just a month now.