They were standing in the lobby at the foot of the stairs. It was dark and uninviting. The rain was dripping off one of the pipes that ran outside the house. The smell of the fish and stale vegetables still lingered about, but the two who stood there were unconscious of their surroundings.
"Jem, if you'll have me I'm ready," said Meg softly. "I'm ready whenever you can take me to Church. I won't disappoint you this time."
Jem trembled and leant against the wall.
"Be careful, Meg, be careful," he implored, "if you say it again I'll be bound to keep you to it. Don't say a word more than you mean."
Meg stretched out her hands to him. He held them fast.
"It was 'The Last Rose of Summer' that brought you again," she said, laughing quietly, though tears were raining down her face, "and I'll give you a rose to wear at our wedding."
THE END.
W. JOLLY AND SONS, LTD., ABERDEEN.