"
A bowl stood on the table, full of late tea-roses sent up from
Warwickshire. . . . As the blow fell I turned about, and slowly
selected the best bloom.
"I hope," said I, "the fortunate man, whoever he is, doesn't object
to your calling around on us poor bachelors and breaking the news.
However, Jimmy Collingwood is up, with his wife, and will be coming
around from his hotel in a few minutes. He'll do for a chaperon.
Meanwhile"--I held out the rose--"I wish you all happiness from the
bottom of my heart. . . . When is it to be?--and shall I be in time
with an alligator for a wedding present?"
"Now that's rather prettily offered," said Constantia, half-extending
her hand to take the flower, her eyes shining with just the trace of
tears. "But you and I are a pair of humbugs, Roddy. To begin with
_you_--I don't believe there are any such things as alligators on
that island."
"What island?" I stammered, and my fingers gave a small, involuntary
jerk at the rose's stem as hers closed upon it.
"The island about which you wrote that queer short note to--to Dr.
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