would be at the wedding without
fail; but never a word did she say about Jessie Bain.

It seemed like a dream to Hubert--his ride in a cab through the cool
crisp air to Gerelda's home on that eventful morning.

He noticed one thing--that the sun did not shine that day; and he said
to himself that it boded ill for his wedding.

The bride-elect and her mother welcomed him effusively. Bitter anger
filled the girl's heart to see how cold and stern he looked. She noticed
that he had no word, no smile for her. If she had not loved him so
madly, her pride would have rebelled, and she would have let him go his
way even then.

She almost shrunk under the cold glance that rested upon her. She
trembled, even in that moment, as she thought how he would hate her if
he but knew how she had plotted to win him. Before she had a chance to
exchange a word with him, her maid of honor came fluttering down the
corridor, chattering in high spirits with Harry Maillard, who was to be
best man.

She was quite as dazed as Varrick himself, until she found herself
standing beside him at the altar.

It was over at last! The words had been spoken which made her Hubert
Varrick's wedded wife, through weal or through woe, till death did them
part.

Then followed the sumptuous wedding-breakfast. While the merriment was
at its height, Varrick touched her lightly on the arm.

"It wants but an hour and twenty minutes until train time. Would it not
be best to slip away now and arrange your traveling toilet?"

"Yes," said Gerelda.

No one noticed their exit, and at last they were alone together, away
from the throng of guests; but, much to the bride's disappointment, her
newly made husband did not seem to realize this fact, and Gerelda's face
flushed with disappointment.

He escorted her as far as the door of her _boudoir_, and there he left
her, saying that he would return in half an hour, hoping that would be
sufficient time to exchange her bridal robes for her traveling-dress.
She smiled and nodded, declaring that he should find her ready before
that time.

Hubert walked slowly on until he found himself at the door of the
conservatory.

"It wouldn't be a bad idea to get a cigar and return here for a quiet
smoke," he thought.

He immediately suited the action to the thought. Was it fate that led
him there? He had scarcely seated himself in one of the rustic
arm-chairs ere he heard the sound of approaching voices.

He felt slightly anno