The night was warm and still, and the windows were all open to the terrace. Godfrey and Juanita took their coffee in their favourite corner by the magnolia tree, and sat there for a long time in the soft light of the stars, talking the old sweet talk of their future life.
“We must drive to Swanage and see Lady Jane to-morrow,” said Juanita by-and-by. “Don’t you think it was very wrong to go to see my people—only cousins after all—before we went to your mother?”
“She will come to us, dear, directly we give her permission. I know she is dying to see you in your new character.”
“How lovely she looked at the wedding, in her pale grey gown and bonnet. I love her almost as well as I love my own dear, good, indulgent mother, and I think she is the most perfect lady I ever met.”
“I don’t think you’ll find her very much like the typical mother-in-law, at any rate,” replied Godfrey, gaily.
They decided on driving to Swanage next morning. They would go in the landau, and bring “the mother” back with them for a day or two, if she could be persuaded to come.
Juanita stifled a yawn presently, and seemed somewhat languid after her sleepless night and long day of talk and vivacity.
“I am getting very stupid company,” she said. “I’ll go to bed early to-night, Godfrey, and leave you an hour’s quiet with ‘Wider Horizons.’ I know you are longing to go on with that book, but your chatterbox wife won’t let you.”
Of course he protested that her society was worth more than all the books in the British Museum. He offered to take his book up to her room and read her to sleep, if she liked; but she would not have it so.
“You shall have your own quiet corner and your books, just as if you were still a bachelor,” she said, caressingly, as she hung upon his shoulder for a good-night kiss. “As for me, I am utterly tired out. Janet and Sophy talked me to death; and then there was the long drive home. I shall be as fresh as ever to-morrow morning, and ready to be off to dear Lady Jane.”