Page:O Genteel Lady! (1926).pdf/258

 cared enough for him to take it with her. As she gravely stared at the cathedral, he as gravely stared at her. In the black and dull rose of her costume the turquoises in her earrings thrilled him with their vivid blueness and he noticed upon her finger a massive gold and turquoise ring that he was sure she must have put on when she went upstairs to get her bonnet.

Would she ever forget Anthony? And like an answer came her words, barely audible from the shadow of her black hat.

'Anthony is gone now—forever. I'm glad I did not get here in time to see him. I tried, and I prayed...'

'You mean you did not see him?'

'I was too late.'

The man began to laugh and his laughter hurt the girl.

'Why do you laugh?'

'I prayed, too. For once God answered my prayers. But I thought he had answered yours.'