“Alfred, my darling,” she cried sadly, “you do love me, do you not? You seem so cold to me to-day, so reserved and different. I have taken this great step for you, and you have not said a tender word to me since we returned from the church, yet this is our wedding-day,” and she stopped. “I am not well, and it’s so cold, and I am worried about money matters, Anne.” “I will take care of you,” she said, and stood up beside him, “and nurse you, and make you strong; I will study your every wish. If I had millions of money, they should all be yours, my darling; I should like to spread out gold for your feet to walk on.” “I believe you would,” he said, with something like gratitude in his voice, and he stooped and kissed her forehead. Even this meagre sign of affection overcame her, she put her head thankfully down on his shoulder and let it rest there a minute from sheer weariness and longing. He put his arm round her and his face touched her head, but it was as a man caresses his mother. Still, for a moment the weary old heart found rest. “You are all my world,” she whispered. “I’m not good enough for you, Anne,” he said uneasily. “You are a fool to care about me.” Then she raised her head and the bright smile came back. “Oh yes,” she said joyfully, “you are much too good. It shall be the study of my life to be good enough for you.” The enthusiasm of youth seemed to flash back upon her for a moment. “I am not a fool to care for you. I am the wisest woman on earth. My darling Alfred,” she went on after a pause, “I have a wedding-present for you; you must have thought me very remiss in not giving you one already.” “I have nothing for you,” he answered. But she did not hear him. She was fumbling in a travelling-bag at the end of the room. Presently she came back with a large old-fashioned gold watch. “This belonged to my brother John, who died,” she said. “I want you to wear it in memory of to-day.” “It’s a very handsome watch,” he said. “I never saw it before. Where has it been?” She was silent for a moment and her left eye winked. “My love,” she said, “I had it kept in a place of safety till I required it,” and he asked no more questions. He put on his great coat to go out; but he hesitated by the door and half reluctantly came back. “Anne,” he said, “even if we have no money, we ought to be prudent and business like; I meant to have told you so yesterday.” “Yes, my darling,” she said, half wonderingly. “People usually sign their wills on their wedding-day. You see I am not strong and might die.” And he looked at her keenly. “Yes, my love, or I might die, which would be far more natural.” “I have made a will leaving you all I have. How do you wish to leave anything that you possess?” “To you, of course, Alfred—everything I have in the world.”