long way off. The Beggar Man's hand in hers was the only real thing in life, and she clung to it with the desperate feeling that without it she would collapse and fall off the edge of the world. She wore the same shabby costume in which she had gone each day to the factory, and she had a queer sort of feeling that this was not a bit as she had always imagined a wedding to be. There was no satin frock, no coloured confetti, no wonderful music. What would Peg think? In her heart Faith was a little afraid of what her friend would think. The clasp of the Beggar Man's hand suddenly relaxed about her own, and she looked up with scared eyes. He was smiling. "It's all over," he said. "We're married. You've just got to sign your name." Faith said "Oh!" She blinked her eyes as if she had been asleep. She had always thought that directly you were married, you felt quite different, but no wonderful metamorphosis had come about so far. She felt just herself, save for a dull sort of nervous headache. She signed her name on the line pointed out to her and stood aimlessly holding the pen. The man who had married them was filling in a form and the Beggar Man was watching him. Faith glanced down at her left hand. A brand new gold ring shone on her third finger. She spread her hand out and stared at it. The registrar folded up his papers and shook hands with the Beggar Man. Then he shook hands with Faith and wished her luck. Faith said "Thank you." She thought he was very kind. She liked the way he smiled. Then the Beggar Man spoke to her. "Well--are you ready?" Faith started. She had been dreaming again. "Quite ready," she said, and followed him outside to where a taxi was waiting. Presently they were driving away together. The Beggar Man sat beside her. After a moment he began to speak rapidly. "We're going to have some lunch at my flat. I've got a flat in the West End. I shall give it up now we're married, of course, but I thought it would do for the present--just till I come back and we can look round." "Isn't it rather early for lunch?" Faith asked, helplessly. "Is it? Well, we can have a glass of wine and some sandwiches. I've got such a little time. My train goes at twelve...." He looked down at her with sudden fire in his eyes. "I wish I had not got to go!" he said, vehemently. "Do you?" said Faith nervously. She shrank a little from him. "You said you would soon be back," she added. "I know--but on one's wedding day...." He broke off abruptly as the cab stopped. "Here we are." He held his hand to her, but she avoided it. Fear was upon her once again. The flat was on the first floor, and the Beggar Man opened the door with his latch-key. "I bought some flowers and things," he said helplessly. "But it doesn't look very grand. What is it?" Faith had given a 

 Prev. P 22/130 next