You know what the jailer said to the criminal who was
hanging on a reprieve: 'Rope deferred maketh the heart sick.' Marion,
give me the hour, or give me the rope."
"The rope enough to hang yourself?"
She suddenly reached up and pulled a hair from her head. She laid it in
his hand-a long brown silken thread. "Hume," she said airily yet gently,
"there is the rope. Can you love me for a month of Sundays?"
"Yes, for ever and a day!"
"I will cancel the day, and take your bond for the rest. I will be
generous. I will marry you in two months-and a day."
"My dearest girl!"--he drew her hand into both of his--"I can't have you
more generous than myself, I'll throw off the month." But his eyes were
shining very seriously, though his mouth smiled.
"Two months and a day," she repeated.
"We must all bundle off to Greyhope to-morrow," came General Armour's
voice across the room. "Down comes the baby, cradle and all."
Lali rose. "I am very tired," she said; "I think I will say good-night.
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