But there should be no background of anything but perfect joy, when Myra was his wife. Would he not have the turning of the fair leaves of her book of life? Each page should unfold fresh happiness, hold new surprises as to what life and love could mean. He would know how to guard her from the faintest shadow of disillusion. Even now it was his right to keep her from that. How much, after all, should he tell her of the heart-searchings of these wretched weeks? Last night he had meant to tell her everything; he had meant to say: “I have sinned against heaven—the heaven of our love—and before thee; and am no more worthy....” But was it not essential to a woman’s happiness to believe the man she loved, to be in all ways, worthy? Out of his pocket came again the well-worn letter. “I know you decided as you felt right,” wrote Myra. Why perplex her with explanations? Let the dead past bury its dead. No need to cloud, even momentarily, the joy with which they could now go forward into a new life. And what a life! Wedded life with Myra——
“Shenstone Junction!” shouted a porter and Jim Airth was across the platform before the train had stopped.
The tandem ponies waited outside the station, and this time Jim Airth gathered up the reins with a gay smile, flicking the leader, lightly. Before, he had said: “I never drive other people’s ponies,” in response to “Her ladyship’s” message; but now—“All that’s mine, is thine, laddie.”
He whistled “Huntingtower,” as he drove between the hayfields. Sprays of overhanging traveller’s-joy brushed his shoulder in the narrow lanes. It was good to be alive on such a day. It was good not to be leaving England, in England’s most perfect weather.... Should he take her home to Scotland for their honeymoon, or down to Cornwall?
What a jolly little church!
Evidently Myra never slacked pace for a gate. How the ponies dashed through, and into the avenue!
Poor Mrs. O’Mara! It had been difficult to be civil to her, when she had appeared instead of Myra to give him tea.
Of course Scotland would be jolly, with so much to show her; but Cornwall meant more, in its associations. Yes; he would arrange for the honeymoon in Cornwall; be married in the morning, up in town; no fuss; then go straight down to the old Moorhead Inn. And after dinner, they would sit in the honeysuckle arbour, and——
Groatley showed him into Myra’s sitting-room.
She was not there.