"Oh," said Julia, "if you have nothing more to say than that, I have--Where is my bracelet?"
"It's here," said Percy, producing it eagerly. Julia smiled.
"My specimens of your spelling? Love spells, eh?"
"No, they are not," said Julia, snatching them, "they are here." And she stuffed both her pockets with them.
"And the engaged ring," said Percy, radiant now, and producing it, "d-d-don't forget that."
Julia began to hesitate. "If I put that on, it will be for life."
After due consideration she said what she had made up her mind to say long before.
"Percy, you're a man of honor. I'll be yours upon one solemn condition--that from this hour till death parts us, you promise to give your faith where you give your love."
"I'll give my faith where I give my love," said Percy, solemnly.
Next month they were married, and he gave his confidence where he gave his love, and he never had reason to regret it.
"You had better mind what you are about, or you'll get fonder of her than of Walter himself."
"Never, Colonel, never! And so will you."
Then, after a moment's reflection, John Baker inquired how they were to help it. "Look here, Colonel," said he, "a man's a man, but a woman's a woman. It isn't likely as Master Walter will always be putting his hand round your neck and kissing of you when you're good, and pick a white hair off your coat if he do but see one when you're going out, and shine upon you in-doors more than the sun does on you out-of-doors; and 'taint to be supposed as Mr. Walter will never meet me on the stairs without breaking out into a smile to cheer an old fellow's heart, and showing £2000 worth of ivory all at one time; and if I've a cold or a bit of a headache he won't send his lady's maid to see after me and tell me what I am to do, and threaten to come and nurse me himself if I don't mend."
"Well," said the Colonel, "there's something in all this."
"For all that," said John Baker, candidly, "I shall make you my confession, sir. I said to Mr. Walter myself, said I, 'Here's a pretty business,' said I; 'I've known and loved you from a child, and Mrs. Walter has only been here six months, and now I'm afraid she'll make me love her more than I do you.'"
"Why, of course she will," said Mr. Walter. "Why, _I_ love her better than I do myself, and you've got to follow suit, or else I'll murder you."