"I am so glad you have come, dear," Venner said, as he pressed the girl's
hand. "I was terribly afraid that something might come in the way. If
there is any danger--"

"I don't think there is any danger," Vera whispered, "though there are
other eyes on me besides those of Mark Fenwick. But, all the same, I am
not supposed to know anybody in the hotel, and I come down to dinner as a
matter of course, I am glad the place is so crowded, Gerald, it will make
us less conspicuous. But it is just possible that I may have to go before
dinner is over. If that is so, I hope you will not be annoyed with me."

"You have given me cause for greater annoyance than that," Venner smiled.
"And I have borne it all uncomplainingly. And now let us forget the
unhappy past, and try and live for the present. We are on our honeymoon,
you understand. I wonder what people in this room would say if they heard
our amazing story."

"I have no doubt there are other stories just as sad here," Vera said, as
she took her place at the table. "But I am not going to allow myself to
be miserable to-night. We are going to forget everything; we are going to
believe that this is Fairyland, and that you are the Prince who--"

Despite her assumed gaiety there was just a little catch in Vera's voice.
If Venner noticed it he did not appear to do so. For the next hour or so
he meant resolutely to put the past out of his mind, and give himself
over to the ecstasy of the moment.... All too soon the dinner came to an
end, and Gurdon appeared.

"This is my wife," Venner said simply. "Dear, Mr. Gurdon is a very old
friend of mine, and I have practically no secrets from him. All the same,