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98 Arthur had done a very unusual thing when he Left me alone on my wedding-day. My instinct told me that he was entirely in the wrong. Marie, however, had confirmed this hardly admitted view. She sat with her mouth slightly open, staring at me in such unpleasant surprise that I was forced to turn my face away.

"You are very rude, Marie," I said at last, desperately angry at the girl's stupidly apparent astonishment. "Don't you know that it is the height of impoliteness to stare at anybody like that? I am surprised at you, a Frenchwoman, behaving in such a manner."

It did me good to manifest a little surprise on my own account. I saw no reason why she should be permitted to monopolize it all.

"Madame will excuse me," said the girl quickly. "I am not yet entirely used to English customs. It seemed so droll to me that a bridegroom should leave his bride—Madame will pardon me."

I rose and paced up and down the room. What a fool I was to worry myself about such trifles Arthur had shown nothing but the most