He stooped to kiss her, but Peggy was clinging like a marmoset round his neck when he stood up again. His brown face laughed through her curls.
"We're a horribly spoony couple," he said to Olga. "We've known each other just six weeks, and we got engaged to-day."
"Do you often get engaged like that?" asked Olga.
"Oh, rather!" said Noel. "It's much more fun than getting married. Cheaper too, and not so monotonous!" Again he laughed. "I assure you it's the easiest thing in the world to get engaged. Never tried it?"
It was unpardonably audacious; but that was Noel Wyndham's way, and somehow no one ever took offence.
Olga did not take offence, but she winced ever so slightly; a fact which Noel obviously failed to observe, being occupied with the difficult task of releasing himself from Peggy's ardent embraces.
When he finally obtained his freedom and stood up, Olga had passed out again into the passage. He threw a last kiss to his small sweetheart, and hurried after her.
CHAPTER III
THE NEW LIFE
"It isn't in the least what I thought it would be," said Olga.