If only she could tell him again that she did love him.

If only-- Far down the street a step rang sharply on the frosty air.

A masculine figure was hurrying toward the house.

Retreating well into the shadow of the doorway, Billy watched it, her heart pounding against her side in great suffocating throbs.

Nearer and nearer strode the approaching figure until Billy had almost sprung to meet it with a glad cry--almost, but not quite; for the figure neither turned nor paused, but marched straight on--and Billy saw then, under the arc light, a brown-bearded man who was not Bertram at all.
Three times during the next few minutes did the waiting little bride on the doorstep watch with palpitating yearning a shadowy form appear, approach--and pass by.