Mrs. Crichton smiled at Tandy .sx " Come into the drawing-room , dear , and talk to us .sx " And , as Tandy followed her into the room , and Mr. Crichton got up to greet her , Mrs. Crichton added :sx " If this visit is what we think , Tandy , I hope you're as pleased about it as we are .sx " " I'm delighted , " she said .sx " Marion's such a darling .sx " " And your brother is the first young man I've ever encountered that I'd trust my girl to , " said Mr. Crichton .sx Ten minutes or so later , and looking like a girl who had been very thoroughly kissed , Marion came into the room , Jock's hand in her own .sx " Mummy- Daddy- we- " Gently , smiling , Jock interposed .sx " Marion , my love , I have an idea that if my sister has had anything to do with this , they won't need telling .sx But , just for the record , we're engaged !sx " After that , everyone seemed to be kissing everyone else !sx Intermingled with her pleasure for them , Tandy felt a private little glow of happiness .sx For so long , now , she'd felt responsible for Jock , whether or not he would have wanted it .sx And now- he had a grand girl like Marion to look after him , and she herself would be free .sx Free .sx . to let her love for Granville rule her life for ever .sx Long after she and Jock had got back to the flat , she lay awake thinking of Granville .sx She'd see him again tomorrow , but not till tomorrow night .sx That meant the whole of a long day to live through first .sx I'm wishing my whole life away , she thought , and smiled gently to herself .sx It was worth living through hours of tedium , for those precious hours with Granville in the evening .sx Next morning at breakfast , Jock said :sx " Don't do anything about supper for me tonight , Tandy .sx Marion and I want to go out to celebrate our engagement .sx We shan't be buying the ring until the weekend , but tonight I want to take her out to the best dinner I can find !sx " " Yes , Jock .sx " For a moment , Tandy felt sad , thinking that many of the pleasures most engaged couples shared would be missing for Jock and Marion .sx Dances , theatres , cinemas .sx She herself had never worried about any of them , but then she hadn't grown up in a city as Marion had .sx Would Marion mind ?sx Yes , sometimes .sx But reassurance came to Tandy in the knowledge that Marion adored Jock .sx Being with him was what would matter most to her in life , now and always .sx " I'm beginning to feel a bit conscience-stricken about you , Tandy , " Jock said suddenly .sx " I'm a selfish devil .sx When you're happy as I am , you're apt to forget- " " Forget what , Jock ?sx " " Well- if we get married- " " Listen , Jock dear , when you get married , if you want this flat I'll move out .sx It's as simple as that .sx I can go into a hostel , or get digs with one of the other girls at the college .sx Or- " He didn't even hear the other word as it trembled softly as a whisper .sx She didn't finish the sentence .sx She just couldn't- yet .sx But , she thought , as she started on her way to the college- maybe Jock wasn't the only member of the family to have exciting news this week .sx Only , until Granville really told her , she could say nothing to Jock at all .sx The sun was shining and Tandy's heart was singing as she crossed George Street that evening and made her way down to Princes Street for the bus to the studio .sx " You're late !sx " Granville said almost accusingly , as she walked into the studio .sx " Sorry- " " So you should be , my sweet .sx Don't you know I've been counting the minutes , all day , till you came !sx " He moved to her and took her into his arms , and the wonder of his kiss blotted out everything .sx " Granville- " she said at last , shakily .sx " Yes , my love !sx That's just to keep you quiet till I finish the picture !sx With any luck we'll be through with it tonight !sx " She didn't bother to change .sx He'd finished the painting of the dress last night and it was only work on her face and arms that was left .sx She took up the familiar pose with a kind of sadness in her heart because it was the last time .sx Yet it was stupid to be sad .sx The picture meant something ; certainly .sx It had brought them together .sx It would , she thought , be a symbol .sx . As she stood , feeling the familiar fatigue creep over her , Granville suddenly threw down his brushes .sx " Well , Tandy ?sx I didn't let you see it properly before .sx What do you think ?sx " Tandy walked over to the easel and then stopped , frowning .sx " She- she's prettier than I am , Granville , " she said at last .sx " Nonsense .sx Your trouble is that you don't know how damned attractive you are .sx " She could see she'd annoyed him , even with the implied criticism , and she didn't know what to do to put things right .sx But it was true .sx The picture was of a very pretty girl in a white , full-skirted evening dress .sx But- it wasn't her .sx She couldn't have said where it failed , except that the eyes staring out of the canvas had a boldness which was quite alien to Tandy .sx " It's- very nice , " she managed to say at last .sx " Nice !sx That's a stupid word .sx I tell you it's my best ever .sx I'm going to submit it for the next Exhibition in London .sx " She smiled .sx Seeing his pleasure in the picture she forgot the doubts in her own mind .sx " And now , " Granville said , " we'll go down and have a drink and then perhaps go out for some food .sx " He went through to the bathroom to remove the paint from his hands , and she sat quietly on the settee , wondering why it was that she felt strangely flat and disappointed .sx Perhaps she was tired ; she hadn't slept much last night .sx But , perhaps , a little of it was reaction , because the picture that had kept them together all this time was finished- and she didn't like it as much as she'd thought she would .sx " Ready , my love ?sx " Granville came through and pulled on his jacket .sx He took her hand as they walked to the door , and just as they reached it , he took her into his arms again .sx " Sweet Tandy , " he said , huskily , " beloved Tandy .sx Oh , Tandy , I'm crazy about you , my love .sx " They stood locked together in an embrace which made Tandy's head swim and then they slipped down the staircase and along the road to the hotel .sx " A quick drink , " Granville had said , " and then we're going a bit farther afield .sx " His car was in the garage and Tandy waited for him in the hotel lounge till he'd collected it , feeling , as she always did , out of place among the smart people who invariably patronised this favourite bar of Granville's .sx As she saw Granville coming back , she rose to go .sx A voice , just a little louder than perhaps was intended , floated towards her .sx " Yes , that's Granville's latest .sx Cradle-snatching , isn't he ?sx " She felt the blood rush to her head .sx Granville's latest !sx Just as if she was some girl he'd picked up and would drop again when he was tired of her !sx It wasn't like that , she thought fiercely , it just wasn't .sx Granville loved her .sx Granville saw her expression and frowned .sx " What's the matter , my sweet ?sx " " Nothing- " He didn't persist as , irrationally enough , she'd wanted him to .sx He just said :sx " If one of the lads has been making cracks , I'll deal with him .sx But any young woman who goes around with me is apt to get some , Tandy .sx That's fair warning , my girl- " His tone was light .sx " Where are we going , " she asked as they got into the car .sx " On a tour of inspection .sx There's a place I particularly want you to see by moonlight .sx . It's there , complete , even to the wishing well , my love .sx " " You mean ?sx " " Our small hotel , " he quoted softly .sx " You'll fall in love with it the way I have , when you see it , Tandy .sx " " Here we are , " said Granville .sx Tandy took a quick breath .sx It was perfect .sx Hardly an hotel at all really :sx just a long , low-thatched building , its white-washed walls stark in the moonlight .sx Lit up with fairy-lights , it looked like something out of a dream .sx He slipped his arm round her .sx " I knew you'd love it , poppet .sx " She went on staring , utterly bewitched .sx He'd been right .sx There was a well , a wishing well , in the front garden .sx As she watched she could see a couple standing there , hand in hand , oblivious to everything but themselves .sx " Oh , Granville , it's just what I dreamed of , " Tandy said in a whisper .sx Granville smiled gently .sx This was the way to do it .sx . " That's what you call a preview , Tandy darling .sx " He backed the car out again and drove back swiftly in the direction of the city .sx He could see the way she kept glancing at him , and he knew exactly what was in her mind .sx She wanted him to stop the car , to make love to her .sx He turned down a small lane , and slowed to a stop .sx " You're very silent , Tandy , " he said lightly .sx " Am I ?sx " " You are .sx And I'm glad .sx I hate women who chatter the whole time .sx " " Granville- Granville darling- " He put his arm round her , drew her towards him .sx " I love you .sx . " " And I love you , Granville , I love you .sx " The words came out with a fire that almost frightened her .sx Her very feelings were frightening her now .sx She'd had no idea , until this moment , just how desperately disturbing love could be .sx . His lips came down hard on hers and she clung to him .sx " Granville- darling- " " My love- " At last , she struggled free from his arms .sx " Well , Tandy , " he said , " you've seen our hotel .sx You know it's waiting for us .sx When is it to be ?sx " " Granville !sx " Suddenly now everything was right and wonderful and not a bit frightening any more .sx " Granville darling , not just for a little while .sx I mean , you see , I must wait until Jock and Marion are married .sx I don't think that'll be long now .sx They've found each other and they want to be together always .sx But- but once they're married , then you and I. Oh , Granville , say it .sx " " Say what , my sweet ?sx " " Say- I love you , Tandy .sx I want you to marry me- " Abruptly he drew his arm from her shoulders .sx Abruptly he switched on the car ignition .sx " Another of them !sx " His tone was like a lash .sx But what had she done ?sx " Another of what ?sx " Over the purr of the car engine , his voice came to her :sx " You're like the rest of them , Tandy !sx I just can't believe that .sx " He put the car into gear , put his foot down .sx In silence they drove back into the city .sx He said no more until they had stopped right outside the flat .sx " Well , Tandy ?sx " " You're angry with me , Granville .sx Why ?sx What have I done ?sx " " Done ?sx Nothing I suppose .sx It's just that I'm disappointed .sx I thought you were different .sx Like me .sx Honest .sx Straight .sx " " What on earth do you mean ?sx " " How I hate and despise the kind of woman who will only settle for a wedding ring , Tandy .sx Marriage is something foisted on us by people who like the idea of living in cages because they're too scared of freedom .sx " " I don't understand , " her voice trembled .sx " Loving people , Granville , means you want to be with them always- and that's why people get married , surely , so that they can be together always .sx " " And you think a few mumbled words in front of the Registrar and a gold band on your finger makes you more capable of loving ?sx Is that it ?sx " " Granville- it wouldn't be the Registrar for me .sx I- I've dreamed about falling in love and getting married and though I didn't know what love was like then , I just felt that I'd want to stand in a church , and- have the blessing- " " I'm sorry .sx It's obvious we just don't look at things in the same way , you and I. Tandy , I don't blame you for your attitude .sx