Bother Aristotle! I must do as Margaret bids.
* * * * *
The Colonel and Master Freake were in the house-place when, at last, that
memorable Christmas Eve, I proudly took my Margaret there.
"Sir," said I to the former, before he had ceased his hearty handshake,
"I love Margaret dearly and Margaret loves me. May we be married?"
"You young dog! What d'ye say to that, John?" he said.
"Nothing is nearer to my heart," said the great merchant of London,
giving me his hand in turn.
"Nor to mine, so that settles it," cried the Colonel, fishing out his
snuff-box, while I led Margaret up to mother.
We spent a happy Christmas as lovers, and were married on New Year's Day
by the vicar.
Jack and Kate were married in the spring, by which time he was as well
and strong as ever. For years I feared lest his severe wound should have
left some permanent source of weakness, but happily my fears were
ill-founded. Jack, having had enough of soldiering, took to business at
Master Freake's suggestion. He has developed all his father's shrewdness
while retaining all his own boyish charm.
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