Midsummer's Eve

"As clear as daylight." I kissed her and went back to my bed.

"Does his family know?”

"Well, not yet. And we're going to wait until they do before we announce anything.”

"Is he afraid they won't approve?”

"John doesn't think there'll be any trouble. But they are such a proud family ... one of the oldest dukedoms. You know what people are like. Of course, they are not very well off....”

"Your father will be pleased.”

"I think so. There'll be no difficulty there. He's been hoping for something like this ever since I was 'out.' He spent a lot on my presentation and it seemed as though it was all wasted. Now I'm exonerated.”

"You make it sound like a business transaction.”

"Coming out is ... in a way. But when people fall in love ...”

"Ah, that is different. They're outside the transaction but it still exists for the fond parents. Did your father say he was disappointed in your performance?”

"Not in words. But I guessed. I felt he despised me.”

"Well, he will have to change his mind now. The great Milwards, eh?”

"A younger son," she said with a giggle and added fervently: "Thank goodness.”

"I'll be all right. I daresay it would have been different with the heir, but a younger son has more freedom to fall in love.”

"Oh, Annora, isn't it wonderful! But not a word yet. You won't tell, will you?”

"You can rely on me. But it will come out soon. I have a very reliable set of bones and I can feel it in them.”

"Oh, Annora, I'm so glad you stayed with us. I hope you won't go [yet.”

"So do I," I assured her. We lay awake for some time talking.

That was a wonderful week-end. I was sorry that we had to leave next morning.

Nothing was said about Helena's engagement. John Milward was I evidently waiting for the right moment to approach his father. I had I always felt he was a rather nervous young man. I wondered if Aunt Amaryllis guessed.

Perhaps not, for there was a great deal of excitement everywhere about the Queen's coronation. It was exhilarating to be in London at [this time.

The streets were full of people from all over the country. A few | days before the event was due to take place they were making beds on the pavements and camping out all night, so determined were they to jget a good view of the procession.

Uncle Peter was very busy. He was on several committees and we j hardly saw him during those days. He would be very occupied on the I great day.

The Cresswells had a town house in St. James's Street through I which the procession would be passing and I, with Helena and Peterkin, were invited to join a party which would be watching from the windows.

What an impressive sight! The bells were ringing all over London. I was deeply moved as I watched the procession. So many foreign dignitaries had come to take part in it and prominent among them were the Queen's German relations. Oddly enough, Marshal Soult, | our enemy of not long ago, represented France. I was amazed at what tumultuous welcome the people gave him. But most moving of all was the sight of the little Queen looking so young-almost a child in her robes of crimson velvet and gold lace, with a diamond circlet I on her head.

I did not see her return from the Abbey but I could picture her I riding back through the streets to Buckingham Palace in the robes of | state, carrying the orb and sceptre.

After the ceremony we went back to the house in the square I accompanied by Joe.

There was a cold supper and after that several of us went to watch the fireworks in the Park.

It was a day of great rejoicing.

I was so glad that I had remained in London for such an occasion and was sorry that my parents had missed it. When they came it would mean that we should be leaving soon for Cornwall; and that was something I was not really looking forward to for I had become so caught up in Helena's affairs. I wanted to see her officially engaged; moreover I was interested in the Cresswell family-especially Joe. My friendship for him was growing fast.

Helena was very excited because she was going to one of the State balls which were being given in honour of the coronation.

"I'm sorry you can't come, Annora," she said.

I smiled. Not long ago she would have been congratulating me because I did not have to go.

She had a new rose pink dress and she looked prettier than I had ever seen her look before. It was not so much rose pink which suited her as happiness.

I watched her set off with her parents and Peterkin. I knew that John Milward would be at the ball. I hoped he would soon speak to his father. The long wait seemed to me to be a little ominous. I supposed it all depended on how much they needed money and whether Helena's father was rich enough to supply a settlement which would be satisfactory to them. Yes, indeed, it was quite a sordid transaction or would have been except for the love of the two central characters.

Joe called with his sister Frances. I was delighted to see them.

"I thought you would have gone to the ball," I said to Joe.