Dearest sweetheart, before I stop, let me tell you that if I have brought any happiness into your life, you have brought far, far more into mine.  My soul seemed to come into full being upon the day when I loved you.  It was so small, and cramped, and selfish, before—­and life was so hard, and stupid, and purposeless.  To live, to sleep, to eat, for some years, and then to die—­it was so trivial and so material.  But now the narrow walls seem in an instant to have fallen, and a boundless horizon stretches around me.  And everything appears beautiful.  London Bridge, King William Street, Abchurch Lane, the narrow stair, the office with the almanacs and the shining desks, it has all become glorified, tinged with a golden haze.  I am stronger:  I step out briskly and breathe more deeply.  And I am a better man too.  God knows there was room for it.  But I do try to make an ideal, and to live up to it.  I feel such a fraud when I think of being put upon a pedestal by you, when some little hole where I am out of sight is my true place.  I am like the man in Browning who mourned over the spots upon his ‘speckled hide,’ but rejoiced in the swansdown of his lady.  And so, my own dear sweet little swansdown lady, good-night to you, with my heart’s love now and for ever from your true lover,

Frank.

Saturday!  Saturday!  Saturday! oh, how I am longing for Saturday, when I shall see you again!  We will go on Sunday and hear the banns together.

CHAPTER III—­THE OVERTURE CONCLUDED

St. Albans, June 14th.

Dearest Frank,—­What a dreadful thing it is to have your name shouted out in public!  And what a voice the man had!  He simply bellowed ‘Maude Selby of this parish’ as if he meant all this parish to know about it.  And then he let you off so easily.  I suppose he thought that there was no local interest in Frank Crosse of Woking.  But when he looked round expectantly, after asking whether there was any known cause or just impediment why we should not be joined together, it gave me quite a thrill.  I felt as if some one would jump up like a Jack-in-the-box and make a scene in the church.  How relieved I was when he changed the subject!  I sank my face in my hands, but I know that I was blushing all down my neck.  Then I looked at you between my fingers, and there you were sitting quite cool and cheerful, as if you rather liked it.  I think that we shall go to evening-service next week.  Papa has given up going altogether since the new organist came.  He says he cannot face the music.