We paced the length of the drive toward the lodge in silence. As we turned toward the house again I said:
“I have chartered the largest yacht I could get—for a cruise round the world.”
A pause, then she in a constrained voice: “When do you start?”
“Immediately,” I answered. “Perhaps to-morrow.”
She halted, leaned against a tree, and gazed out through the shrubbery.
“You’ve not been well?” said I.
“I never am, when I lose interest in life,” replied she. “You will be gone—long?”
“Long,” said I. “Either we shall not see each other again for years—or—” I paused.
After a wait of fully a minute she looked inquiringly at me.
“Mary,” said I, “shall we take a motor launch and go over to Connecticut and be married?”