"Have you taken Belvedere House?"
"I intend to take it. Mary likes it, and I can afford it, with her income joined to mine. If she is a lady, she's not a fine one," added Jan, "and I shall be just as quiet and comfortable as I have been in the old place. She says she'll see to the housekeeping and to my shirts, and—"
Jan stopped. They had come up with Lady Verner, and Mary Elmsley. Lionel spoke laughingly.
"So Jan is appreciated at last!"
Lady Verner lifted her hands with a deprecatory movement. "It took me three whole days before I would believe it," she gravely said. "Even now, there are times when I think Mary must be playing with him."
Lady Mary shook her head with a blush and a smile. Lionel took her on his arm, and walked away with her.
"You cannot think how happy it has made me and Lucy. We never thought Jan was, or could be, appreciated."
"He was by me. He is worth—shall I tell it you, Lionel?—more than all the rest of Deerham put together. Yourself included."
"I will indorse the assertion," answered Lionel. "I am glad you are going to have him."
"I would have had him, had he asked me, years ago," candidly avowed Lady Mary.