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John was not happy and knew it, but none of his emotions ever betrayed themselves, and the mask of his stolid content never changed. They had gone on with their matter-of-fact relations, and when they returned to London after a week at Ardayre, all had been much easier, because they were seldom alone and at last Amaryllis had grown to accept the situation, and try not to speculate about it.
Ardayre was too far away for week-end parties, but they had several successful London dinners, and Amaryllis was becoming quite a capable hostess, and was much admired in the world. Very fine of instinct and apprehension at all times she was developing by contact with intelligent people for John had taken care that she only mixed with the most select of his friends.
The library in Brook Street was a comfortable room and was always their general sitting-room; its windows looked out on the street. That evening when John Ardayre arrived he paced up and down it for half an hour. He was very pale and lines of thought were stamped upon his brow. He had come to a decision; there only remained the details of a course of action to be arranged.
The enraging part was that she would not dare to try to keep him with Hans again upon the scene. She hated Hans once more as she had hated him at the Ardayre ball! Verisschenzko did not attempt to caress her; he sat perfectly still, nor did he speak.
It proved to be for her, and from Denzil's mother, saying that she was en route for Dorchester, motoring, and would stop at Ardayre on the chance of finding its mistress at home. Amaryllis felt suddenly excited; she had often longed for this and yet in some way she had feared it also. What new emotions might the meeting not arouse? It was quite early after luncheon that Mrs. Ardayre was announced.
One says 'English' to look at you, and then, if one knows, one says 'Ardayre' at once; one gets as far as 'Calmuck' with me, that is all, but in years to come it will have developed into 'Verisschenzko." "How you study things, Stepan; you are always putting new ideas into my head whenever I see you. Life would be just a routine, for all the joy of sport, if one did not think.
"I want green, John, because it will make me think of the springtime and nature, and all beautiful things." They lunched at a restaurant and in the afternoon went down to Ardayre. John had many things to attend to and would be occupied all the following day.
She shook and shook and tore at the golden clasp, her irritation giving strength and cunning to her hands; and at last the small bolt came undone and the doors flew open and an exquisitely painted modern picture of the Virgin disclosed itself, holding the Christ child in her arms. But for all the saintliness in the eyes of Mary, the face was an exact portrait of Amaryllis Ardayre!
She grew confused, and they passed on to another frame which contained the Lady Amaryllis who had had the sonnets written to her nut brown locks. She was a dainty creature in her stiff farthingale, but bore no likeness to the present mistress of Ardayre. Denzil examined her for some seconds, and then he said reflectively: "She is a Sweetheart but she is not you!"
Amaryllis felt triumphant as she walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, on the arm of a scapegrace sailor uncle she would not allow her stepfather to give her away. Every one was so pleased about the wedding! An Ardayre married to an Ardayre! Good blood on both sides and everything suitable and rich and prosperous, and just as it should be!
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