"Perhaps it's as well you didn't," said Colin, laughing. "She'd have found it a bit of a strain to carry out the fifth commandment."
Nancy, who was looking distractingly pretty as she lay back against the cushions, smiled contentedly at them both.
"I think it's much better as it is," she said. "If I hadn't known what it felt like to be bullied and ordered about I shouldn't be half so happy when I'm married to Colin."
Mark set down his glass with an air of pretended dismay.
"But, my dear child," he exclaimed, "you can't possibly marry Colin now. You must put that idea right out of your head. Why, with your looks and two hundred thousand pounds you might make an alliance with a duke."
There was a moment's pause.
"By Jove, yes!" observed Colin blankly. "I never thought of that."
He turned to Nancy, but before he could add anything further she raised her finger in a peremptory warning.
"It's no use, Colin dear," she said. "Joe saw you hugging and kissing me at 'The Firs,' and I'm not the sort of girl to allow my young affections to be trifled with. If you attempt to back out of it now I shall sue you for breach of promise."
The distant tinkle of a bell sounded through the house, and, raising himself in his chair, Mark glanced indignantly at the clock.