s we
don't have to invent things.

Miss Elton was dreadfully disappointed that I couldn't be there for the
wedding, and promised me they'd stop a minute at the hotel on their
wedding journey and see me. They were going on a motor trip, nobody
knew just where, and Lakewood would only be a few miles out of their
way. Wasn't that nice of them? But it was just like both of them. So
I was quite excited, of course, and when it poured rain all day, and
got worse and worse, I did feel so sorry for them and never expected
they'd leave town. But, lo and behold, about five o'clock didn't the
boy bring up their cards, and for a wonder my patient was decent and
said she wouldn't want me till next morning--she had her own maid with
her and really didn't need me but once a day.

I ran down to one of the little reception rooms--I must say I like
those big hotels--and when I saw them I nearly collapsed, for though
she was looking perfectly beautiful and well as could be, poor Mr.
Ferrau certainly did give me a shock. He was all tanned, well enough,
but as thin as a rail, and dreadful around the eyes. And yet he looked
very happy and seemed quite glad to see me.

"Isn't she looking magnificent?" he asked me, and I said--I just have
to say right out what I think--"Yes, she is, but I can't say the same
for you."

"Oh, I shall be all right--after a bit," he said, turning red and not
meeting my eyes. "Just let me get away with Anne for a while, and
you'll see."

They insisted on my having tea with them, and I couldn't help but think
that she didn't realise how bad he looked and acted: his hand shook so
that his tea-spoon jingled. And yet he was as straight as a string, I
was sure.

It kept on pouring so dreadfully that they gave up the idea of going on
anywhere, and he engaged a suite at the hotel for that night, and I
said good-bye to them, then, for they were to have their dinner served
by themselves and I knew they'd want to get off quietly in the morning.
My patient kept her word and didn't bother me, and I listened to the
music for a while and then went up to my room and wrote some letters.
About ten I put my boots outside the door and happened to notice the
boots opposite and saw that they were Mr. Ferrau's--they were patent
leather, with rather queer cloth tops. So I knew that they had the
suite opposite ours; there were only those two for the one little hall.

I couldn't seem to sleep that night at all. I kept dre