r.

The Beggar Man gripped her hand. "Thank you. I hope you will never
regret it," he said.

The tears swam into Faith's eyes.

"And--mother?" she faltered.

"You can tell her to-morrow as soon as we're married, if you like," he
answered. "Or leave it till I come back, and I'll tell her myself. I
shall only be gone a little while, after all. Seventeen days will
quickly pass."

"Will they?" She smiled wistfully. To her ignorance, America sounded as
if it must be in another world.

"Don't you want any more tea? Very well, then, we'll get along."

They went out into the street together.

"I haven't bought any new clothes," she said timidly. He glanced down at
her.

"Never mind--get them while I'm away. What does it matter what clothes
you are married in? There will only be me to see you."

He meant the words kindly, but they gave her a little thrill of
apprehension. Only him! That was what it would be for the rest of her
life--only this man, who, after all, was almost a stranger to her.

She wanted to put her thoughts into words, but glancing up at his grave
face she was suddenly afraid, and he went on talking, quite unconscious
of her agitation.

"Do you know Victoria Station? But of course you do! Well, if you'll
meet me there to-morrow.... No, I'll come and meet you and we'll drive
down together. I'll be at the end of your road at half-past eight. Will
that do?"

"Yes." Her heart was beating so fast she thought it would choke her.

Yesterday she had been all happiness and excitement at the thought of
her marriage. This morning it had still seemed some wonderful dream, but
now ... the suddenness of it all made her feel as if someone had asked
her to jump off the edge of the world.

"If you don't mind," the Beggar Man said suddenly, "I must leave you
now. I've a lot to do this evening. You must let me send you home in a
taxi."

"Oh, no, no."

He looked surprised. "Why not? You don't want to walk all that way."

"I'd rather go on a bus if you don't mind."

She felt that she must cling to her old life with might and main for
this last evening. After to-morrow--well, she could not help what
happened after to-morrow.

The Beggar Man's face softened. She looked so young and appealing, and
perhaps he understood better than she imagined what she was feeling.

"Very well," he said gently. "I'll say good-night, then. Half-past eight
at the end of your road, and ... thank you!"

Faith looked up quickly