He thought of his own house in Sussex and of the evening he had passed there, thinking it just as lonely.

He felt perhaps at this moment, more than at any, the value of the great prize which he had won.

He took her hand in his, and, turning to Michel, said simply: "We are married, Michel.

We reached Chamonix only this evening.

You are the first of our friends to know of our marriage." Michel's face lighted up.