CHAPTER XXVI

ThenextdaypassedforValancylikeadream.Shecouldnotmakeherselforanythingshedidseemreal.ShesawnothingofBarney,thoughsheexpectedhemustgorattlingpastonhiswaytothePortforalicense. Perhapshehadchangedhismind. ButatduskthelightsofLadyJanesuddenlyswoopedoverthecrestofthewoodedhillbeyondthelane.Valancywaswaitingatthegateforherbridegroom.Sheworehergreendressandhergreenhatbecauseshehadnothingelsetowear.Shedidnotlookorfeelatallbride-like—shereallylookedlikeawildelfstrayedoutofthegreenwood.Butthatdidnotmatter.NothingatallmatteredexceptthatBarneywascomingforher. “Ready?”saidBarney,stoppingLadyJanewithsomenew,horriblenoises. “Yes.”Valancysteppedinandsatdown.Barneywasinhisblueshirtandoveralls.Buttheywerecleanoveralls.Hewassmokingavillainous-lookingpipeandhewasbareheaded.Buthehadapairofoddlysmartbootsonunderhisshabbyoveralls.Andhewasshaved.TheyclatteredintoDeerwoodandthroughDeerwoodandhitthelong,woodedroadtothePort. “Haven’tchangedyourmind?”saidBarney. “No.Haveyou?” “No.” Thatwastheirwholeconversationonthefifteenmiles.Everythingwasmoredream-likethanever.Valancydidn’tknowwhethershefelthappy.Orterrified.Orjustplainfool. ThenthelightsofPortLawrencewereaboutthem.Valancyfeltasifsheweresurroundedbythegleaming,hungryeyesofhundredsofgreat,stealthypanthers.BarneybrieflyaskedwhereMr.Towerslived,andValancyasbrieflytoldhim.Theystoppedbeforetheshabbylittlehouseinanunfashionablestreet.Theywentintothesmall,shabbyparlour.Barneyproducedhislicense.Sohehadgotit.Alsoaring.Thisthingwasreal.She,ValancyStirling,wasactuallyonthepointofbeingmarried. TheywerestandinguptogetherbeforeMr.Towers.ValancyheardMr.TowersandBarneysayingthings.Sheheardsomeotherpersonsayingthings.Sheherselfwasthinkingofthewayshehadonceplannedtobemarried—awaybackinherearlyteenswhensuchathinghadnotseemedimpossible.Whi