"Women do such things every day. Besides—"
"Yes?"
"Is Peter still so much enamoured of a humdrum life?" said John, dryly.
"I have had no opportunity of finding out; but I am sure he will want to settle down quietly when all this is over—"
"You mean when he's no longer in love with Sarah?"
"He's barely one-and-twenty; it can't last," said Lady Mary.
"I don't know. If she's so much cleverer than he, I'm inclined to think it may," said John.
"Oh, of course, if he married her—it would last," said Lady Mary.
"And then?" said John, smiling.
"Perhaps then," said Lady Mary; and she laid her hand softly in the strong hand outstretched to receive it.