it the way you did has made me a happy man at one stroke. As for the
name--what's in a name? We might as well be in reality what we played at
being to-night--'Mr. and Mrs. Nelson Smith.' There are even reasons why
I'm pleased that you've made me a present of the name. I thank you for
it--and for all the rest."

"Oh, but if it isn't _really_ your name, we sha'n't be legally married,
shall we?" Annesley protested.

"By Jove!" he exclaimed. "I hadn't thought of that. It's a difficulty.
But we'll obviate it--somehow. Don't worry! Only I'm afraid we can't ask
your friend the Archdeacon to marry us, as I meant to suggest, because I
was sure you'd like it."

"I should. But it doesn't matter," said the girl. "Besides, I feel that
to-morrow I shall find I've dreamed--all this."

"Then I've dreamed you, at the same time, and I'm not going to let you
slip out of my dream, now I've got you in it. I intend to go on dreaming
you for the rest of my life. And I shall take care _you_ don't wake up!"

Afterward there came a time when Annesley called back those words and
wondered if they had held a deeper meaning than she guessed. But, having
uttered them, he seemed to put the thought out of his mind, and turn to
the next.

"About the Savoy," he went on. "I want to take you there, because I
know a woman staying in the hotel--a woman old enough to be your
mother--who'll look after you, to please me, till we're married.
Afterward you'll be nice to her, and that will be doing her a good