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Arbuthnot；〃 said the former to me one day； 〃is that during your
long illness I fell in love； I suppose that is the right word；
with the Glittering Lady。 After thinking the matter over also； I
conceived that it would be proper to tell her so if only to clear
the air and prevent future misunderstandings。 As I remarked to
her on that occasion； I had hesitated long； as I was not certain
how she would fill the place of the wife of the incumbent of an
English parish。〃
〃Mothers' Meetings； and the rest；〃 I suggested。
〃Exactly so； Arbuthnot。 Also there were the views of the Bishop
to be considered； who might have objected to the introduction
into the diocese of a striking person who so recently had been a
heathen； and to one in such strong contrast to my late beloved
wife。〃
〃I suppose you didn't consider the late Mrs。 Bastin's views on
the subject of re…marriage。 I remember that they were strong；〃 I
remarked rather maliciously。
〃No； I did not think it necessary； since the Scriptural
instructions on the matter are very clear； and in another world
no doubt all jealousies； even Sarah's； will be obliterated。 Upon
that point my conscience was quite easy。 So when I found that；
unlike her parent； the Lady Yva was much inclined to accept the
principles of the faith in which it is my privilege to instruct
her； I thought it proper to say to her that if ultimately she
made up her mind to do soof course this was a sine qua nonI
should be much honoured； and as a man； not as a priest； it would
make me most happy if she would take me as a husband。 Of course I
explained to her that I considered； under the circumstances； I
could quite lawfully perform the marriage ceremony myself with
you and Bickley as witnesses； even should Oro refuse to give her
away。 Also I told her that although after her varied experiences
in the past； life at Fulcombe； if we could ever get there； might
be a little monotonous； still it would not be entirely devoid of
interest。〃
〃You mean Christmas decorations and that sort of thing？〃
〃Yes； and choir treats and entertaining Deputations and
attending other Church activities。〃
〃Well； and what did she say； Bastin？〃
〃Oh！ she was most kind and flattering。 Indeed that hour will
always remain the pleasantest of my life。 I don't know how it
happened； but when it was over I felt quite delighted that she
had refused me。 Indeed on second thoughts； I am not certain but
that I shall be much happier in the capacities of a brother and
teacher which she asked me to fill； than I should have been as
her husband。 To tell you the truth； Arbuthnot； there are moments
when I am not sure whether I entirely understand the Lady Yva。 It
was rather like proposing to one's guardian angel。〃
〃Yes；〃 I said； 〃that's about it； old fellow。 'Guardian Angel'
is not a bad name for her。〃
Afterwards I received the confidence of Bickley。
〃Look here； Arbuthnot；〃 he said。 〃I want to own up to
something。 I think I ought to； because of certain things I have
observed； in order to prevent possible future misunderstandings。〃
〃What's that？〃 I asked innocently。
〃Only this。 As you know； I have always been a confirmed
bachelor on principle。 Women introduce too many complications
into life； and although it involves some sacrifice； on the whole；
I have thought it best to do without them and leave the carrying
on of the world to others。〃
〃Well； what of it？ Your views are not singular； Bickley。〃
〃Only this。 While you were ill the sweetness of that Lady Yva
and her wonderful qualities as a nurse overcame me。 I went to
pieces all of a sudden。 I saw in her a realisation of every ideal
I had ever entertained of perfect womanhood。 So to speak； my
resolves of a lifetime melted like wax in the sun。
Notwithstanding her queer history and the marvels with which she
is mixed up； I wished to marry her。 No doubt her physical
loveliness was at the bottom of it； but； however that may be；
there it was。〃
〃She is beautiful；〃 I commented； 〃though I daresay older than
she looks。〃
〃That is a point on which I made no inquiries； and I should
advise you； when your turn comes； as no doubt it will； to follow
my example。 You know； Arbuthnot；〃 he mused； 〃however lovely a
woman may be； it would put one off if suddenly she announced that
she waslet us saya hundred and fifty years old。〃
〃Yes；〃 I admitted； 〃for nobody wants to marry the contemporary
of his great…grandmother。 However； she gave her age as twenty…
seven years and three moons。〃
〃And doubtless for once did not tell the truth。 But； as she
does not look more than twenty…five； I think that we may all
agree to let it stand at that； namely； twenty…seven； plus an
indefinite period of sleep。 At any rate； she is a sweet and most
gracious woman； apparently in the bloom of youth； and； to cut it
short； I fell in love with her。〃
〃Like Bastin；〃 I said。
〃Bastin！〃 exclaimed Bickley indignantly。 〃You don't mean to say
that clerical oaf presumedwell； well； after all； I suppose that
he is a man； so one mustn't be hard on him。 But who could have
thought that he would run so cunning； even when he knew my
sentiments towards the lady？ I hope she told him her mind。〃
〃The point is； what did she tell you； Bickley？〃
〃Me？ Oh； she was perfectly charming！ It really was a pleasure
to be refused by her； she puts one so thoroughly at one's ease。〃
（Here； remembering Bastin and his story； I turned away my face to
hide a smile。） 〃She saidwhat did she say exactly？ Such a lot
that it is difficult to remember。 Oh！ that she was not thinking
of marriage。 Also； that she had not yet recovered from some
recent love affair which left her heart sore； since the time of
her sleep did not count。 Also； that her father would never
consent； and that the mere idea of such a thing would excite his
animosity against all of us。〃
〃Is that all？〃 I asked。
〃Not quite。 She added that she felt wonderfully flattered and
extremely honoured by what I had been so good as to say to her。
She hoped； however； that I should never repeat it or even allude
to the matter again； as her dearest wish was to be able to look
upon me as her most intimate friend to whom she could always come
for sympathy and counsel。〃
〃What happened then？〃
〃Nothing； of course； except that I promised everything that she
wished； and mean to stick to it； too。 Naturally； I was very sore
and upset； but I am getting over it； having always practised
self…control。〃
〃I am sorry for you； old fellow。〃
〃Are you？〃 he asked suspiciously。 〃Then perhaps you have tried
your luck； too？〃
〃No； Bickley。〃
His face fell a little at this denial； and he answered：
〃Well； it would have been scarcely decent if you had； seeing
how lately you were married。 But then； so was that artful Bastin。
Perhaps you will get over itrecent marriage； I meanas he
has。〃 He hesitated a while； then went on： 〃Of cou