"You would be safe," said Mr. Graydon wistfully, "and he would take care of the others. But--but--it is not a question of making me happy, or of anyone but yourself, little Pam. Could you be happy?"
"Sometimes I think I could," said Pamela. "It would be an end of trouble; it would be peace."
"Poor Pam! you talk as if you had been through storms."
"Never mind, darling dad. I think I shall say 'Yes' then, after all."
"Yes, he has asked me. You don't think, dad, that he would like Sylvia just as well?"
"I should _love_ him for a brother-in-law."
"If you feel like that, don't think of him for a husband."
"He would never deceive nor betray me," said Pamela, with a sigh.
"Poor little girl!" said her father, and then said no more.
A day or two later, as Lord Glengall was leaving Carrickmoyle, he was overtaken by Pamela.
"I'm coming with you a bit," she said. "I want to give the dogs a run."
"I'll be proud of your company. Shall we take the wood-path?"
"No," said Pamela, with a little shudder. "I hate the wood. Let us cross the bog."
"Why, what has come to you, child? I thought you were a perfect wood-nymph."
"I'm tired of the wood," said Pam, shortly.
They walked on till they were out in the road through the bog. Then Pamela suddenly spoke what was in her mind.
"Lord Glengall," she said, "do you still want me to marry you?"
"Why, it was only on Wednesday I asked you. You don't suppose I've had time to change my mind?"
"Because--I've changed mine. I want to say 'Yes.'"
"'Yes,' Pam? Is it 'Yes'?" said Lord Glengall, turning and facing her. "Are you quite sure you mean 'Yes'?"
"What's come over you to make you say it, when you said 'No' the other day? You're doing it of your own free will, Pam?"
Lord Glengall stooped and kissed the cool cheek, almost as her father might.
"And you won't want to unsay it later on, Pam?"
"I'll be very good to you, little Pam--God helping me."
"I know you will," said Pain. "But why did you like me instead of Sylvia?"
"I don't know, I'm sure. Pam. I never thought of that." He laughed out. "It's lucky I didn't. Pam. What chance should I have had with Sylvia, and all those boys about her?"
"What, indeed?" said Pamela, but she looked mysterious.
A moment later she pulled up again sharply.