The house was dark and silent.
On Megan's advice, we went around to the back and threw stones at Rose's window.
In due course Rose looked out and with many suppressed exclamations and palpitations came down to let us in.
"Well now, and I saying you were asleep in your bed.
The master and Miss Holland -" (slight sniff after Miss Holland's name) - "had early supper and went for a drive.
I said I'd keep an eye to the boys.
I thought I heard you come in when I was up in the nursery trying to quiet Colin, who was playing up, but you weren't about when I came down so I thought you'd gone up to bed.
And that's what I said when the master came in and asked for you."
I cut short the conversation by remarking that that was where Megan had better go now.
"Good night," said Megan, "and thank you awfully.
It's been the loveliest day I've ever had."
I drove home slightly lightheaded still, and tipped the chauffeur handsomely, offering him a bed if he liked.
But he preferred to drive back through the night.
The hall door had opened during our colloquy and as he drove away it was flung wide open and Joanna said,
"So it's you at last, is it?"
"Were you worried about me?" I asked, coming in and shutting the door.
Joanna went into the drawing room and I followed her.
There was a coffee-pot on the trivet and Joanna made herself coffee while I helped myself to a whisky-and-soda.
"Worried about you?
No, of course not.
I thought you'd decided to stay in town and have a binge."
"I've had a binge - of a kind."
I grinned and then began to laugh.
Joanna asked what I was laughing at and I told her.
"But, Jerry, you must have been mad - quite mad!"
"I suppose I was."
"But, my dear boy, you can't do things like that - not in a place like this.
It will be all around Lymstock tomorrow."
"I suppose it will.
But, after all, Megan's only a child."
"She isn't.
She's twenty.
You can't take a girl of twenty to London and buy her clothes without a most frightful scandal.
Good gracious, Jerry, you'll probably have to marry the girl."
Joanna was half serious, half laughing.
It was at that moment that I made a very important discovery.
"Damn it all," I said. "I don't mind if I do.
In fact - I should like it."
A very funny expression came over Joanna's face.
She got up and said drily, as she went toward the door,
"Yes, I've known that for some time... "
She left me standing, glass in hand, aghast at my new discovery.
I don't know what the usual reactions are of a man who goes to propose marriage.
In fiction his throat is dry and his collar feels too tight and he is in a pitiable state of nervousness.
I didn't feel at all like that.
Having thought of a good idea I just wanted to get it all settled as soon as possible.
I didn't see any particular need for embarrassment.
I went along to the Symmingtons' house about eleven o'clock.
I rang the bell and when Rose came, I asked for Miss Megan.
It was the knowing look that Rose gave me that first made me feel slightly shy.