He looked over his shoulder to see if any one was within the sound of his voice, which he took the precaution to lower to what had always been a successful tone in days when he was considered quite an excellent purveyor of sweet nothings in dim hallways, shady nooks and unpopulated stairways.

"I want you to marry me right away," he went on, but not with that amazing confidence of yester- years.
Anne blinked.

Then she drew back and stared at him for a moment.

A merry smile followed her brief inspection.
"Simmy, you've been drinking." He scowled, and at that she laughed aloud.

"'Pon my soul, not more than three, Anne.