"Yes,--Dr. Forsyth told me last night."
"Now d'ye think a man like 'im is gone to Heaven!" demanded Bainton- -"Honest an' true, d'ye think the Lord Almighty wants 'im?"
John was rather non-plussed. His garrulous gardener watched his face with attentive interest.
"Don't ye answer unless ye like, Passon!" he observed, sagaciously-- "I don't want to make ye say things which ain't orthodox! You keep a still tongue, an' I shall understand!"
John took the hint. He 'kept a still tongue'--and turned back from the garden into the house. Bainton chuckled softly.
"Passon can't lie!" he said to himself--"He couldn't do it to save his life! That's just the best of 'im! Now if he'd begun tellin' me that he was sure that blackhearted rascal 'ad gone to keep company with the angels I'd a nigh despised im!--I would reely now!"
That same morning, when John walked up to the Manor again, he entered it as a privileged person, invested with new authority. Cicely ran to meet him, and frankly put up her face to be kissed.
"A thousand and one congratulations!" she said--"I knew this would come!--I was sure of it! But the credit of the first guess is due to the Mooncalf,--Julian, you know!--he's a poet, and he made up a whole romance about you and Maryllia the first day he ever saw you with her!"
"Did he?"--and Walden smiled--"Well, he was right! I am very happy, Cicely!"
"So am I!" And the 'Goblin' clasped her hands affectionately across his arm--"You are just the very man I should have chosen for Maryllia!--the only man, in fact--I've never met anybody else worthy of her! But oh, if she were only strong and well! Do you know that Dr. Forsyth is bringing another specialist to see her this afternoon?"
"Yes, I know!"
"And there's other news for you this morning"--pursued Cicely, a broad smile lighting up her face and eyes--"Very amusing news! Lord Roxmouth is married!"
"Married!" exclaimed Walden, incredulously--"Not possible!"
"Come and see the wedding cards!"--and Cicely, laughing outright, caught his hand, and pulled him along into the morning room, where Maryllia, with her couch turned so that she could see the first glimpse of her lover as he entered the doorway, was eagerly awaiting his approach--"Maryllia, here's John! Prove to him at once please that Mrs. Fred's millions are lost to you forever!"