Page:The Mystery of the Sea.djvu/179



ON CHANGING ONE'S NAME

ITH a smile Marjory began:

"You are satisfied that it was because of the fireworks and Joan of Arc business that I came away?"

"Oh yes!"

"And that this was the final and determining cause?"

"Why certainly!"

"Then you are wrong!" I looked at her in wonder and in some secret concern. If I were wrong in this belief, then why not in others? If Adams's belief and my acceptance of it were erroneous, what new mystery was there to be revealed? Just at present things had been looking so well for the accomplishment of my wishes that any disturbance must be unwelcome. Marjory, watching me from under her eyelashes, had by this time summed me up. The stern look which she always had when her brows were fixed in thought, melted into a smile which was partly happy, partly mischievous, and wholly girlish.

"Make your mind easy, Archie" she said, and oh! how my heart leaped when she addressed me by my Christian name for the first time. "There isn't anything to get uneasy about. I'll tell you what it was if you wish."

"Certainly I wish, if you don't dislike telling me." So she went on:

"I did not mind the fireworks; that is I did mind them and liked them too. Between you and me, there has 165