Alone amongst these strangers, father! mother! old friends all crowded into her mind; but the memory of them only seemed to accentuate their absence at this important time of her life! She almost failed as she walked up with faltering step, but a glance at Cardo's sympathetic, beaming face restored her courage, and as she took her place by his side she regained her composure.

Before the simple, impressive service was over she was quite herself again, and when Cardo took her hand in his in a warm clasp, she returned the pressure with a loving smile of confidence and trust, and received the congratulations of Gwynne Ellis and his two friends with a smiling though blushing face.
The two strangers, never having seen her before, were much struck by her beauty; and indeed she had never looked more lovely.

She wore one of her simple white frocks, and the white hat which had been her best during the summer, adorned only with a wreath of freshly gathered jessamine, a bunch of which was also fastened at her neck.

With the addition of a pair of white gloves which Cardo had procured for her, she looked every inch a bride.

She wore no ornament save the wedding ring which now glistened on her finger.
"Let us do everything in order," said Ellis.