and yet the thrall in which I was held by the dominating power of
his passion kept me from seeking that advice even from my own
intuitions, which might have led to my preservation. I was blind and
knew I was blind, yet rushed on headlong. I asked him no questions till
our wedding day.

We were married simply, but to the sound of wonderful music, in a
certain little church not far from ---- Street.

Mr. Allison had told me that it would be impossible for him to take me
out of the city at present. It was therefore to the house on ---- Street
we were driven.

In the hall stood the old serving man with whose appearance I was
already so familiar.

"Luncheon is served," he announced, with great formality; and then I saw
through an open door the glitter of china and glass, and realized I was
about to take my first meal with my husband.

The next moment I was before the board, which had been made as beautiful
as possible with flowers and the finest of dinner services. But the
table was set for four, two of whom could only be present in spirit.

I wondered if I were glad or sorry to see it--if I were pleased with his
loyalty to his absent employer, or disappointed that my presence had
not made everybody else forgotten. To be consistent, I should have
rejoiced at this evidence of sterling worth on his part; but girls are
not consistent--at least, brides of an hour are not--and I may have
pouted the least bit in the world as I pointed to the two places set as
elaborately as our own, and said with the daring which comes with the
rights of a wife:

"It would be a startling coincidence if Mrs. Ransome and her daughter
should return to-day. I fear I would not like it."

I was looking directly at him as I spoke, with a smile on my lips and my
hand on the back of my chair. But the jest I had expected in reply did
not come. Something in my tone or choice of topic jarred upon him, and
his answer was a simple wave of his hand toward Ambrose, who at once
relieved me of my bouquet, placing it in a tall glass at the side of my
plate.

"Now we will sit," said he.

I do not know how the meal would have passed had Ambrose not been
present. As it was, it was a rather formal affair, and would have been
slightly depressing, if I had not caught, now and then, flashing glances
from my husband's eye which assured me that he found as much to enchain
him in my presence as I did in his.

CHAPTER III

ONE BEAD FROM A NECKLACE

Af