“and that,” said david, concluding a little speech, “is all.”

a curious silence fell upon the room. rosamund and john looked at each other; lady mary had her hands folded over an old piece of parchment; elizabeth was watching her; father maloney looked at david.

“you mean,” said father maloney, breaking the silence, “that you wish to give up your claim to the whole thing?”

“that’s so,” said david pleasantly.

“and what,” demanded father maloney, “has brought you to this conclusion?”

“simply,” said david smiling, “that i have seen that fishes live best in water, as birds live best on land. this,” he waved his hand around the hall, “isn’t my element.”

[pg 353]

lady mary rose quietly from her chair, and thrust something into a drawer of her desk. then she turned to david.

“is that your sole reason?” she asked.

david coloured.

“for practical purposes,” he replied.

lady mary looked straight at him.

“in my grandson’s name,” she said, a little smile trembling on her lips, “i accept your generous offer in the spirit in which you make it.”

father maloney stared.

“glory be to god!” he ejaculated inwardly, “she doesn’t mean to tell him. she’s a wonderful woman, is lady mary. a wonderful woman!”

and then suddenly a bell rang out, pulled by the stalwart arm of the under gardener.

father maloney started.

“bless my soul,” he cried, “’tis time for benediction.”

and he bolted towards the dining-hall, which, as i told you long ago led to the chapel.

lady mary looked at the little group.

“we’re all coming,” said elizabeth with fine assurance.

and then lady mary led the way.

[pg 354]

said john in a low voice to rosamund:

“i have at least three thanksgivings to make.”

“i think,” she replied, looking at him, “that so have i.”

said david in a low voice to elizabeth:

“what are you thinking about?”

“i am thinking,” quoth she smiling, “that there is a folly which is very very wise.”

and then they all went in to benediction.