teor. And when at last it came to an
end, for an instant neither moved.

Then, as though emerging from a dream, Hone rose and alighted, and
turned to give his hand to his companion. A little group of ragged
urchins stood to view upon the muddy pavement. There was no other pomp
to attend the coming of a bride.

Silently they entered a church that was lighted from end to end for
evening service. They passed up the aisle through a haze of fog. They
halted at the chancel steps....

The knot of urchins had grown to a considerable crowd when they emerged.
Women and half-grown girls jostled each other for a glimpse of the
bride. But the utmost that any saw was a slender figure wearing a thick
veil that walked a little apart from the bridegroom, and entered the
waiting motor unassisted.

XIV

Back once more in the room where the fire crackled, newly replenished,
and electric light revealed a shining tea-table, Hone turned to the
silent woman beside him.

"Can I write a message? I promised to send one to Teddy as soon as we
were married."

She pointed to the writing-table; and moved herself to the fire. There
she stood for a few seconds quite motionless, seeming to listen to the
scratching of his pen.

He ceased to write, and turned in his chair. For a moment his eyes
rested upon her.

"Take off your hat!" he said.

She obeyed him in utter silence. Her hands were stiff and numb with
cold. She stooped, the firelight shining on her hair, and held them to
the blaze.

Hone rose quietly, and came to her side. He held his message for her to
read, and she did so silently.

"Just married. All well. Love.--PAT."

"Will it do?" he said.

She glanced up at him and shivered.

"Is all well?" she asked, in a tone that demanded no answer.

He made none, merely rang the bell and gave orders for the despatch of
the message.

Then he came quietly back to her. They stood face to face. She was quite
erect, but pale to the lips. She stood before him as a prisoner awaiting
sentence, too proud to ask for mercy.

Hone paused a few moments, as if to give her time to speak, to challenge
him, to make her defence, or to plead her weakness. Then, as she did
none of these things, he suddenly laid steady hands upon her, drew her
to him, and, bending, looked closely into her eyes.

"And is there any reason at all why I should not take what is my own?"
he said.

She did not resist him, but a long shiver went through her.

"Are y