Kate laughed and raised her eyebrows slightly.

``Nothing but a little stage fright, my dear.''

``Stage fright!''

``Yes. Bertram says he's trying to find some
one to play his rle, I believe, in the ceremony.''

``_Mrs. Hartwell!_''

At the look of dismayed terror that came into
Marie's face, Mrs. Hartwell laughed reassuringly.

``There, there, dear child, don't look so horror-
stricken. There probably never was a man yet
who wouldn't have fled from the wedding part
of his marriage if he could; and you know how
Cyril hates fuss and feathers. The wonder to me
is that he's stood it as long as he has. I thought I
saw it coming, last night at the rehearsal--and
now I know I did.''

Marie still looked distressed.

``But he never said--I thought--'' She
stopped helplessly.

``Of course he didn't, child. He never said
anything but that he loved you, and he never