"Will you promise me one thing?" asked Valancy solemnly.
"Anything," said Barney recklessly.
"Only one thing. You are never, under any circumstances or under any provocation, to cast it up to me that I asked you to marry me."
CHAPTER XLIV
Extract from letter written by Miss Olive Stirling to Mr. Cecil Bruce:
"It's really disgusting that Doss' crazy adventures should have turned out like this. It makes one feel that there is no use in behaving properly.
"I'm SURE her mind was unbalanced when she left home. What she said about a dust-pile showed that. Of course I don't think there was ever a thing the matter with her heart. Or perhaps Snaith or Redfern or whatever his name really is fed Purple Pills to her, back in that Mistawis hut and cured her. It would make quite a testimonial for the family ads, wouldn't it?
"He's such an insignificant-looking creature. I mentioned this to Doss but all she said was, 'I don't like collar ad men.'
"Well, he's certainly no collar ad man. Though I must say there is something rather distinguished about him, now that he has cut his hair and put on decent clothes. I really think, Cecil, you should exercise more. It doesn't do to get too fleshy.
"He also claims, I believe, to be John Foster. We can believe THAT or not, as we like, I suppose.
"Old Doc Redfern has given them two millions for a wedding-present. Evidently the Purple Pills bring in the bacon. They're going to spend the fall in Italy and the winter in Egypt and motor through Normandy in apple-blossom time. Not in that dreadful old Lizzie, though. Redfern has got a wonderful new car.
"Well, I think I'll run away, too, and disgrace myself. It seems to pay.
"Uncle Ben is a scream. Likewise Uncle James. The fuss they all make over Doss now is absolutely sickening. To hear Aunt Amelia talking of 'my son-in-law, Bernard Redfern' and 'my daughter, Mrs. Bernard Redfern.' Mother and Father are as bad as the rest. And they can't see that Valancy is just laughing at them all in her sleeve."
CHAPTER XLV
Valancy and Barney turned under the mainland pines in the cool dusk of the September night for a farewell look at the Blue Castle. Mistawis was drowned in sunset lilac light, incredibly delicate and elusive. Nip and Tuck were cawing lazily in the old pines. Good Luck and Banjo were mewed and mewing in separate baskets in Barney's new, dark-green car en route to Cousin Georgiana's. Cousin Georgiana was going to take care of them until Barney and Valancy came back. Aunt Wellington and Cousin Sarah and Aunt Alberta had also entreated the privilege of looking after them, but to Cousin Georgiana was it given. Valancy was in tears.
"Don't cry, Moonlight. We'll be back next summer. And now we're off for a real honeymoon."
Valancy smiled through her tears. She was so happy that her happiness terrified her. But, despite the delights before her - 'the glory that was Greece and the grandeur that was Rome' - lure of the ageless Nile - glamour of the Riviera - mosque and palace and minaret - she knew perfectly well that no spot or place or home in the world could ever possess the sorcery of her Blue Castle.
THE END