wrinkles as if she had been a hundred. But still —

“My dear,” said Cousin Georgiana, “Edward Beck wants to marry you.”

Valancy stared at Cousin Georgiana for a moment. Then she wanted to go off into a peal of laughter. But she only said:

“Me?”

“Yes, you. He fell in love with you at the funeral. And he came to consult me about it. I was such a friend of his first wife, you know. He is very much in earnest, Dossie. And its a wonderful chance for you. He’s very well off — and you know — you — you — ”

“Am not so young as I once was,” agreed Valancy. “‘To her that hath shall be given.’