tion, of black velvet
and feathers, in the way of a hat.

The only jewels she had on were the magnificent pearls which were her
uncle's gift. There was no color about her except in her red burnished
hair and her red, curved mouth.

And the whole company thrilled as she came up the aisle. She looked like
the Princess in a fairy tale--but just come to life.

The organ stopped playing, and now, as in a dream she knew that she was
kneeling beside Tristram and that the Bishop had joined their hands.

She repeated the vows mechanically, in a low, quiet voice. All the sense
of it that came to her brain was Tristram's firm utterance, "I, Tristram
Lorrimer Guiscard, take thee, Zara Elinka, to be my wedded wife."

And so, at last, the ceremony was over, and Lord and Lady Tancred walked
into the vestry to sign their names. And as Zara slipped her hand from
the arm of her newly-made husband he bent down his tall head and kissed
her lips; and, fortunately, the train of coming relations and friends
were behind them, as yet, and the Bishops were looking elsewhere, or
they would have been startled to observe the bride shiver, and to have
seen the expression of passionate resentment which crept into her face.
But the bridegroom saw it, and it stabbed his heart.

Then it seemed that a number of people kissed her: his mother and
sisters, and Lady Ethelrida, and, lastly, the Duke.

"I am claiming my privilege as an old man," this latter said gayly, "and
I welcome you to all our hearts, my beautiful niece."

And Zara had answered, but had hardly been able to give even a
mechanical smile.

And when they got into the smart, new motor, after passing through the
admiring crowds, she had shrunk into her corner, and half closed her
eyes. And Tristram, intensely moved and strained with the excitement of
it all, had not known what to think.

But pride made his bride play her part when they reached her uncle's
house.

She stood with her bridegroom, and bowed graciously to the countless,
congratulatory friends of his, who passed and shook hands. And, when
soon after they had entered Lady Tancred arrived with Cyril and the
girls, she had even smiled sweetly for one moment, when that gallant
youth had stood on tiptoe and given her a hearty kiss! He was very small
for his age, and full of superb self-possession.

"I think you are a stunner, Zara," he said. "Two of our fellows, cousins
of mine, who were in church with me, congratulated me a