'I daresay it is; but anyhow, we're going to see Lennox and ask him what he thinks about it.'
The winter had broken at last; there was still snow on the hills, but in the valleys it was melted and on the lower slopes the birch-trees were in bud all ready to burst into delicate leaf.
The enchantment of spring was in the air.
The sun was hot.
Everyone felt alert and some felt happy.
The old stagers who came only for the winter were making their plans to go south.
Templeton and Ivy went to see Dr Lennox together.
They told him what they had in mind.
He examined them; they were X-rayed and various tests were taken.
Dr Lennox fixed a day when he would tell them the results and in light of this discuss their proposal.
Ashenden saw them just before they went to keep the appointment.
They were anxious, but did their best to make a joke of it.
Dr Lennox showed them the results of his examination and explained to them in plain language what their condition was.
'All that's very fine and large,' said Templeton then, 'but what we want to know is whether we can get married.'
'It would be highly imprudent.'
'We know that, but does it matter?'
'And criminal if you had a child.'
'We weren't thinking of having one,' said Ivy.
'Well, then I'll tell you in very few words how the matter stands.
Then you must decide for yourselves.'
Templeton gave Ivy a little smile and took her hand.
The doctor went on.
'I don't think Miss Bishop will ever be strong enough to lead a normal life, but if she continues to live as she has been doing for the last eight years ...'
'In sanatoriums?'
'Yes.
There's no reason why she shouldn't live very comfortably, if not to a ripe old age, as long as any sensible person wants to live.
The disease is quiescent.
If she marries, if she attempts to live an ordinary life, the foci of infection may very well light up again, and what the results of that may be no one can foretell.
So far as you are concerned, Templeton, I can put it even more shortly.
You've seen the X-ray photos yourself.
Your lungs are riddled with tubercle.
If you marry you'll be dead in six months.'
'And if I don't how long can I live?'
The doctor hesitated.
'Don't be afraid. You can tell me the truth.'
'Two or three years.'
'Thank you, that's all we wanted to know.'
They went as they had come, hand in hand; Ivy was crying softly.
No one knew what they said to one another; but when they came into luncheon they were radiant.
They told Ashenden and Chester that they were going to be married as soon as they could get a licence.
Then Ivy turned to Chester.
'I should so much like your wife to come up for my wedding.
D'you think she would?'
'You're not going to be married here?'
'Yes.
Our respective relations will only disapprove, so we're not going to tell them until it's all over.
We shall ask Dr Lennox to give me away.'
She looked mildly at Chester, waiting for him to speak, for he had not answered her.
The other two men watched him.
His voice shook a little when he spoke.