so rapid as it seemed, or she would have told you her secret--which,
by-the-bye, isn't a secret at all. She and Major Thomson are engaged
to be married."



CHAPTER III

A few rays of fugitive sunshine were brightening Piccadilly when
Geraldine and her escort left the Ritz. The momentary depression
occasioned by the dramatic little episode of a few minutes ago,
seemed already to have passed from the girl's manner. She walked on,
humming to herself. As they paused to cross the road, she glanced as
though involuntarily at her companion. His dark morning clothes and
rather abstracted air created an atmosphere of sombreness about him
of which she was suddenly conscious.

"Hugh, why don't you wear uniform in town?" she asked.

"Why should I?" he replied. "After all, I am not really a fighting
man, you see."

"It's so becoming," she sighed.

He seemed to catch the reminiscent flash in her eyes as she looked
down the street, and a shadow of foreboding clouded his mind.

"You found Captain Granet interesting?"

"Very," she assented heartily. "I think he is delightful, don't