ccupy. Perhaps even at
this moment she is looking out the window at this same languid blue
sea. Being up there, she is within call. Should you need her--really
need her--you may be perfectly sure that she would come to you.

"That time you were ill here two years ago, you had rather a bad time
of it because there was no one to visit you except a few chance
acquaintances about whom you did not care. Well, it would not be like
that now. She would sit by your bed all night long and all day long,
too, if you permitted. She is that kind. So, you see, you are really
not dining alone to-night. I, though only an empty chair, am here to
remind you of that."

Felix, who was in charge of the salle-a-manger, hovered near Monte as
if he felt the latter to be his especial charge. He served as Monte's
right hand--the hand of the sling. He was very much disturbed because
madame refused her dinner, and every now and then thought of something
new that possibly might tempt her.

Every one else about the hotel was equally friendly, racking his brains
to find a way of serving Monte by serving madame. It made him feel
quite like those lordly personages who used to come here with a title
and turn the place topsy-turvy for themselves and for their women-folk.
He recalled a certain count of something who arrived with his young
wife and who in a day had half of Nice in his service. Monte felt like
him, only more so. There was a certain obsequiousness that the count
demanded which vanished the moment his back was turned; but the
interest of Felix and his fellows now was based upon something finer
than fear. Monte felt it had to do with Marjory herself, and
also--well, in a sense she was carrying a title too. She was, to these
others, a bride.

But it was a great relief to know that she was not the sort of bride of
which he had seen too many in the last ten years. It would be a
pleasure to show these fellows a bride who would give them no cause to
smile behind their hands. He would show them a bride who could still
conduct herself like a rational human being, instead of like a petulant
princess or a moon-struck school girl.

Monte lighted a cigarette and went out upon the Quai Massena for a
stroll. It was late in the season for the crowds. They had long since
adjourned to the mountains or to Paris. But still there were plenty
remaining. He would not have cared greatly had there been no one left.
It was a relief to have t