Brownie laughed at his way of settling the matter.

“You have not answered me yet, darling,” he added, a moment after; “you have given yourself to me?”

“Yes, Adrian, I am proud to give myself to you.”

“And you will be my wife?” drawing her closer.

“Yes.”

“Whenever I say?”

She lifted her eyes again to read his, but their light dazzled her, and with her own lashes drooping shyly upon her crimson cheeks, she murmured:

“Whenever you will, dear.”

“Then, my Brownie, with your permission, I will see Lady Ruxley immediately, after which I shall wish to introduce you to those high-born kinsmen of mine.”

“Not to-day, Adrian, please. I cannot bear you to speak to Lady Ruxley to-day. I have hardly got used to my own happiness yet. Let it rest until we go back to the villa, and then I will not say you nay,” pleaded the young girl, earnestly.