“Oh! yes, if you like; but really I do not understand.”
“I can’t explain just at present, dear,” said Joan gently. “I am too tired; you will know all about it soon.”
“Well,” thought Mrs. Bird, as she left the room, “somehow I don’t like that baronet so much as I did. It is all so odd and secret. I hope that he doesn’t mean to deceive Joan with a false marriage and then to desert her. I have heard of people of rank doing such things. But if he tries it on he will have to reckon with me.”
That afternoon Joan received the following telegram: “All arranged. Will call for you at two the day after to-morrow. Samuel.”
CHAPTER XXXIV.
THE OPENING OF THE GATE.
It was a quarter to two on the Thursday and Joan, dressed in the black silk gown that she used to wear when on duty at Messrs. Black & Parker’s, awaited the arrival of her intended husband in the little sitting-room, where presently Mrs. Bird joined her, attired in a lilac dress and a bonnet with white flowers and long tulle strings.
“What, my dear, are you going to be married in black? Pray don’t: it is so unlucky.”
“It is the best dress that I have,” answered Joan.
“There is the pretty grey one.”
“No,” she replied hastily, “I will not wear that. Besides, the black one is more suitable.”