'O Wilmet!' said Robina. 'I told you all about it, long ago, at Barèges.'
'If you consider that as any intimation—' she began; but her husband interrupted her. 'I suppose Felix has yet to hear this?'
'Oh no!' both cried; Will adding, 'Felix created this vast solitude on our behalf!'
'Your father?' added Wilmet.
'He went away a day too soon; but there's no fear of him, is there, Jack?'
'You all seem to me demented!' said Wilmet aghast.
'Nay, Mettie, if you knew it at Barèges, you can't say a word!' said John, much amused.
'Always sending us up the mountains together!' added Will. 'No one ever gave me such a happy time of it!'
'Giving me leave to keep the brooch!' continued Robina, chiming in with their humour.
'Why, 'tis your doing,' summed up the Major; 'and I trust it is a good work for both!' he gravely proceeded. 'I wish you joy, with all my heart, though I fear I must wish you patience too!'