"I expect you are tired now," I said a little breathlessly. "So I will

say good-night--Milady, and hope that you will sleep well the first

night in your new home."

I got up and she came forward quickly to hand me my crutch.

"Good-night," she whispered quite low, but she never looked at me, then

she turned and went slowly from the room, never glancing back. And when

she had gone instead of going to bed I once more sank into my chair. I

felt queerly faint, my nerves are not sound yet I expect.

Well, what a strange wedding night!

Burton's face was a mask when he came to undress me. Among the many

strange scenes he has witnessed and assisted at, after forty years

spent in ministering to the caprices of the aristocracy, I believe he

thinks this is the strangest!

When I was in bed and he was about to go, I suddenly went into a peal of

bitter laughter. He stopped near the door.

"Beg pardon, Sir Nicholas?" he said as though I had called to him.

"Aren't women the weirdest things in the world, Burton!"

"They are indeed, Sir Nicholas," and he smiled. "One and all, from

Mam'zelle to ladies like her Ladyship, they do like to feel that a man

belongs to themselves."

"You think that is it, Burton?"

"Not a doubt of it, Sir Nicholas."

"How do you know them so well, never having married, you old scallywag!"

"Perhaps that's why, Sir. A married man looses his spirit like--and his

being able to see!"

"I seem lonely, don't I Burton," and I laughed again.

"You do, Sir Nicholas, but if I may make so bold as to say so, I don't

think you will be so very long. Her Ladyship sent out for a cup of tea

directly she got to her room."

And with an indescribable look of blank innocence in his dear old eyes,

this philosopher, and profound student of women, respectfully left the

room!




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