Part 3 (2/2)

She almost became jealous of it all.

Her trousseau was quite nice--the maiden aunt had seen to that. Her niece had done well and she did not grudge her pinchings.

Amaryllis felt triumphant as she walked up the aisle of St. George's, Hanover Square, on the arm of a scapegrace sailor uncle--she would not allow her stepfather to give her away.

Every one was so pleased about the wedding! An Ardayre married to an Ardayre! Good blood on both sides and everything suitable and rich and prosperous, and just as it should be! And there stood her handsome, stolid bridegroom, serenely calm--and the white flowers, and the Bishop--and her silver brocade train--and the pages, and the bridesmaids.

Oh! yes, a wedding was a most agreeable thing!

And could she have penetrated into the thoughts of John Ardayre, this is the prayer she would have heard, as he knelt there beside her at the altar rails: ”Oh, G.o.d, keep the axe from falling yet, give me a son.”

The most curious emotions of excitement rose in her when they went off in the smart new automobile en route for that inevitable country house ”lent by the bridegroom's uncle, the Earl de la Paule, for the first days of the honeymoon.”

This particular mansion was on the river, only two hours' drive from her aunt's Charles Street door. Now that she was his wife, surely John would begin to make love to her, real love, kisses, claspings, and what not.

For Elsie Goldmore had presumed upon their schoolgirl friends.h.i.+p and been quite explicate in these last days, and in any case Amaryllis was not a miss of the Victorian era. The feminine world has grown too unrefined in the expression of its private affairs and too indiscreet for any maiden to remain in ignorance now.

It is true John did kiss her once or twice, but there was no real warmth in the embrace, and when, after an excellent dinner her heart began to beat with wonderment and excitement, she asked herself what it meant.

Then, all confused, she murmured something about ”Good-night,” and retired to the magnificent state suite alone.

When she had left him John Ardayre drank down a full gla.s.s of Benedictine and followed her up the stairs, but there was no lover's exaltation, but an anguish almost of despair in his eyes.

Amaryllis thought of that night--and of other nights since--as she sat there at Armenonville, in the luminous sensuous dusk.

So this was being married! Well, it was not much of a joy--and why, why did John sit silent there? Why?

Surely this is not how the Russian would have sat--that strange Russian!

CHAPTER III

It was nearing sunset in the garden below the Trocadero. A tall German officer waited impatiently not far from the bronze of a fierce bull in a secluded corner under the trees; he was plainly an officer although he was clothed in mufti of English make. He was a singularly handsome creature in spite of his too wide hips. A fine, sensual, brutal male.

He swore in his own language, and then, through the glorious light, a woman came towards him. She wore an unremarkable overcoat and a thick veil.

”Hans!” she exclaimed delightedly, and then went on in fluent German with a strong American accent.

He looked round to be sure that they were alone, and then he clasped her in his arms. He held her so tightly that she panted for breath; he kissed her until her lips were bruised, and he murmured guttural words of endearment that sounded like an animal's growl.

The woman answered him in like manner. It was as though two brute beasts had met.

Then presently they sat upon a seat and talked in low tones. The woman protested and declaimed; the man grumbled and demanded. An envelope pa.s.sed between them, and more crude caresses, and before they parted the man again held her in close embrace--biting the lobe of her ear until she gave a little scream.

”Yes--if there was time--” she gasped huskily. ”I should adore you like this--but here--in the gardens--Oh! do mind my hat!”

Then he let her go--they had arranged a future meeting. And left alone, he sat down upon the bench again and laughed aloud.

The woman almost ran to the road at the bottom and jumped into a waiting taxi, and once inside she brought out a gold case with mirror and powder puff, and red greases for her lips.

<script>