Chapter XXVIII. And After

by Agatha Christie

　　"That was a mighty good toast, Jane," said Mr. Hersheimmer, as heand his cousin were being driven back in the Rolls-Royce to theRitz."The one to the joint venture?""No--the one to you. There isn't another girl in the world whocould have carried it through as you did. You were justwonderful! "Jane shook her head."I don't feel wonderful. At heart I'm just tired andlonesome--and longing for my own country.""That brings me to something I wanted to say. I heard theAmbassador telling you his wife hoped you would come to them atthe Embassy right away. That's good enough, but I've got anotherplan. Jane--I want you to marry me! Don't get scared and say noat once. You can't love me right away, of course, that'simpossible. But I've loved you from the very moment I set eyeson your photo--and now I've seen you I'm simply crazy about you!If you'll only marry me, I won't worry you any--you shall takeyour own time. Maybe you'll never come to love me, and if that'sthe case I'll manage to set you free. But I want the right tolook after you, and take care of you.""That's what I want," said the girl wistfully. "Some one who'llbe good to me. Oh, you don't know how lonesome I feel!""Sure thing I do. Then I guess that's all fixed up, and I'll seethe archbishop about a special license to-morrow morning.""Oh, Julius!""Well, I don't want to hustle you any, Jane, but there's no sensein waiting about. Don't be scared--I shan't expect you to loveme all at once."But a small hand was slipped into his."I love you now, Julius," said Jane Finn. "I loved you thatfirst moment in the car when the bullet grazed your cheek...."Five minutes later Jane murmured softly:"I don't know London very well, Julius, but is it such a verylong way from the Savoy to the Ritz?""It depends how you go," explained Julius unblushingly. "We'regoing by way of Regent's Park!""Oh, Julius--what will the chauffeur think?""At the wages I pay him, he knows better than to do anyindependent thinking. Why, Jane, the only reason I had thesupper at the Savoy was so that I could drive you home. I didn'tsee how I was ever going to get hold of you alone. You andTuppence have been sticking together like Siamese twins. I guessanother day of it would have driven me and Beresford starkstaring mad!""Oh. Is he----?""Of course he is. Head over ears.""I thought so," said Jane thoughtfully."Why?""From all the things Tuppence didn't say!""There you have me beat," said Mr. Hersheimmer. But Jane onlylaughed.In the meantime, the Young Adventurers were sitting bolt upright,very stiff and ill at ease, in a taxi which, with a singular lackof originality, was also returning to the Ritz via Regent's Park.A terrible constraint seemed to have settled down between them.Without quite knowing what had happened, everything seemedchanged. They were tongue-tied--paralysed. All the oldcamaraderie was gone.Tuppence could think of nothing to say.Tommy was equally afflicted.They sat very straight and forbore to look at each other.At last Tuppence made a desperate effort."Rather fun, wasn't it?""Rather."Another silence."I like Julius," essayed Tuppence again.Tommy was suddenly galvanized into life."You're not going to marry him, do you hear?" he saiddictatorially. "I forbid it.""Oh!" said Tuppence meekly."Absolutely, you understand.""He doesn't want to marry me--he really only asked me out ofkindness.""That's not very likely," scoffed Tommy."It's quite true. He's head over ears in love with Jane. Iexpect he's proposing to her now.""She'll do for him very nicely," said Tommy condescendingly."Don't you think she's the most lovely creature you've everseen?""Oh, I dare say.""But I suppose you prefer sterling worth," said Tuppencedemurely."I--oh, dash it all, Tuppence, you know!""I like your uncle, Tommy," said Tuppence, hastily creating adiversion. "By the way, what are you going to do, accept Mr.Carter's offer of a Government job, or accept Julius's invitationand take a richly remunerated post in America on his ranch?""I shall stick to the old ship, I think, though it's awfully goodof Hersheimmer. But I feel you'd be more at home in London.""I don't see where I come in.""I do," said Tommy positively.Tuppence stole a glance at him sideways."There's the money, too," she observed thoughtfully."What money?""We're going to get a cheque each. Mr. Carter told me so.""Did you ask how much?" inquired Tommy sarcastically."Yes," said Tuppence triumphantly. "But I shan't tell you.""Tuppence, you are the limit!""It has been fun, hasn't it, Tommy? I do hope we shall have lotsmore adventures.""You're insatiable, Tuppence. I've had quite enough adventuresfor the present.""Well, shopping is almost as good," said Tuppence dreamily."Think of buying old furniture, and bright carpets, and futuristsilk curtains, and a polished dining-table, and a divan with lotsof cushions ""Hold hard," said Tommy. "What's all this for?""Possibly a house--but I think a flat.""Whose flat?""You think I mind saying it, but I don't in the least! Ours, sothere!""You darling!" cried Tommy, his arms tightly round her. "I wasdetermined to make you say it. I owe you something for therelentless way you've squashed me whenever I've tried to besentimental."Tuppence raised her face to his. The taxi proceeded on itscourse round the north side of Regent's Park."You haven't really proposed now," pointed out Tuppence. "Notwhat our grandmothers would call a proposal. But after listeningto a rotten one like Julius's, I'm inclined to let you off.""You won't be able to get out of marrying me, so don't you thinkit.""What fun it will be," responded Tuppence. "Marriage is calledall sorts of things, a haven, and a refuge, and a crowning glory,and a state of bondage, and lots more. But do you know what Ithink it is?""What?""A sport!""And a damned good sport too," said Tommy.