"Is he?" said Dora in a faint voice. "Yes, I've got a good deal of amusement out of him. He oughtn't to be out so late though, and by himself, too!" "Who is it?" asked Charlie. "I don't know his name." "And why oughtn't he to be out?" "Because he's on his honeymoon," "What?" cried Dora. "Just married," explained Laing. "Wife's a tallish girl, fair, rather good-looking; looks standoffish though." "You--you're sure they're married, Mr. Laing?" gasped Dora, and Charlie, in whom her manner had awakened a suspicion of the truth, also waited eagerly for the reply. "What, Miss Bellairs?" asked Laing in surprise. "Oh, I mean--I mean you haven't made a mistake?" "Well, they're together all day, and nobody's with them except a lady's-maid. I should think that's good enough." With a sigh Dora sank back against the cushions. They were at the hotel now; the others had already entered, and, bidding Laing a hearty good-night, Dora ran in, followed closely by Charlie. He did not overtake her before she found her father. "Well, Dolly," said the General, "there's no letter." "Oh," cried Dolly, "I'll stay as long as ever you like, papa." "That's right," said Deane. "And you, Charlie?" Charlie took his cue. "A month if you like." "Capital! Now for a wash--come along, Maud--and then supper!" Dora lingered behind the others, and Charlie with her. Directly they were alone, he asked: "What does it all mean?" She sat down, still panting with agitation. "Why--why, that man we saw--the man Mr. Laing says is on his honeymoon, is--is----" "Yes, yes?" "Mr. Ashforth!" "Dolly! And his wife! By Jove! It's an exact description of Mary Travers!" "The telegrams were to say the marriage was to be at once." "Yes, and--they're married!" "Yes!" A short pause marked the astounding conclusion. Then Charlie came up very close and whispered: "Are you broken-hearted, Dolly?" She turned her face away with a blush. "Are you, Dolly?" "I'm very much ashamed of myself," she murmured. "Oh, Mr. Ellerton, not just yet!" and in deference to her entreaty Charlie had the grace to postpone what he was about to do. When the supper was ready Sir Roger Deane looked round the table inquiringly. "Well," said he, "what is it to be?" "Champagne--champagne in magnums!" cried Charlie Ellerton, with a ringing laugh. CHAPTER IX MR. AND MRS. ASHFORTH (2)