n be back," she added.

"I know--but on one's wedding day...." He broke off abruptly as the cab
stopped. "Here we are."

He held his hand to her, but she avoided it. Fear was upon her once
again.

The flat was on the first floor, and the Beggar Man opened the door with
his latch-key.

"I bought some flowers and things," he said helplessly. "But it doesn't
look very grand. What is it?"

Faith had given a little cry.

"Oh, but it's lovely! lovely!" She had forgotten her shyness. She was
running round the room like a delighted child looking at the pictures
and ornaments with which it was filled.

He made her drink a glass of wine and eat some cake, but all the time
her eyes were wandering round the room, lost in admiration.

He watched her with a chagrined smile. Surely this was the oddest of
wedding days, he thought. A shabby little bride, who had no eyes for her
groom, but who sat and stared with rapt attention at such things as
chairs and pictures and ornaments.

And the time was flying--flying. He looked impatiently at the clock, and
then at the girl who was now his wife. And suddenly it was he who felt
shy and tongue-tied.

She met his eyes and flushed, without knowing why, and the Beggar Man
rose to his feet and went round the table to where she sat.

"You're my wife now, you know," he said.

"Yes." She drew back a little, her eyes dilating, and he broke out again
abruptly: "I wish I'd arranged to take you with me. I was a fool. It
could have been managed. Will you come if even now I can take you?"

She gave a little cry of alarm.

"Oh, no, I couldn't. There's mother...."

He turned away with a little harsh laugh.

"I see. Your mother and the twins," he said dryly. "They all come before
me, who am only your husband."

She looked at him with puzzled eyes, and, vaguely realizing that in some
way he was hurt, she said apologetically:

"But I've known you such a little time."

He echoed her words ironically.

"Yes! You've known me such a little time." Then he laughed, more
naturally, and shrugged his shoulders.

"Well, you're my wife anyway. Nothing can alter that. And when I come
back...." he paused.

"Yes," Faith echoed, "when you come back...."

"Then," he said again slowly, "I'll teach you to think more of me than
you do either of your mother--or the twins!"

There was the faintest note of fun in his voice though his eyes were
grave, and Faith smiled, relieved.

"I love mother best i