“I'll go and tell her now,” said John.
“Let me just say how d' ye do to her first. I won't stay a minute.”
The two men entered the sea-chamber together. Stella welcomed her Great High Favourite and chatted gaily for a while. Then she commanded him to sit down.
“I 'm afraid I can't stay, Stellamaris. I have to go back to London.”
Stella glanced at the clock. “Your train does n't go for an hour.” She was jealously learned in trains.
“I think John wants to talk to you.”
“He has been talking to me quite beautifully for a long time,” said Stella, “and I want to talk to you.”
“He has something very particular to say, Stellamaris.”
“What is it, Belovedest?” Her eyes sparkled, and she clasped her hands over her childish bosom. “You are not going to marry Belinda Molyneux?”
“No, dear,” said John; “I'm not going to marry anybody.”