"'You see, my dear Baron,' said Mr. Pearson, 'our dear Jennie has married--and she hasn't married you. She hasn't showed herself possessed of many virtues, but she has had sense enough for that. I took it for granted that you were something in the hairdressing line, from the moment I first set eyes on you.' "The Baron paid no attention to Mr. Pearson--it was as well he didn't. "He sat, huddled up on a chair, looking at me with gaping eyes. "'But it is impossible that you are Mrs. Conrad Godwin!' "'I fail to see the impossibility, for, in fact, I am. If you have a message for me, may I ask you to deliver it?' "'Message! I have no message! I have instructions to arrest you.' "I was startled then. "'To arrest me!' "'A telegram has come to detain anyone arriving by this boat of the name of Conrad Godwin. I am the chief of the police'--the Baron d'Ardigny, with his large property in the Ardennes, had sunk to a policeman--'and I am afraid that, with your husband, Mr. Conrad Godwin, you must be my prisoner.' "'My husband, as I cannot help suspecting that you are possibly aware, does not happen to be on board.' "'Your husband is not on board? You are travelling alone?' "'Owing'--dear mamma, I did almost break down then,--'owing to an unfortunate accident, my husband lost the boat. But, Baron, you must be under some delusion. Surely you are not having a jest at my expense?' "'It is no jest! It is the truth! I am an officer.' He slapped his chest: you know the way he had when he said anything particularly absurd. 'My duty is my duty! Before that all other things must fade. If, as you say, you are Mrs. Conrad Godwin; if your husband is on board, or no matter where he is, I must proceed to your arrest.' "'Mr. Pearson, you will not suffer this?' "'Mrs. Godwin, I am helpless. We are in Belgium, and in Belgium we must do as the Belgians do.' "'But the thing is monstrous! You will surely insist on this person's exhibiting the authority on which he pretends to act?' "Mr. Pearson shrugged his shoulders. He turned to the Baron with a smile--and once he said he loved me! Man's falseness is incredible. "'Baron, have you got the warrant in your pocket?' "'No warrant is required. I will show madame my instructions when we reach the _bureau_. We are in Belgium, not in England. I would advise madame, as a friend, not to give me any trouble.' "He arrested me! Yes, dear mamma, I spent my wedding night crying, alone, on the deck of a steamer, and at the break of day I was taken into custody. Arrested by one old lover in the presence of another. It was in this way I commenced my married life. "I sat in the cabin on one chair, and the Baron sat on another chair in front of me, on guard! I will do him the justice to allow that he seemed quite as much at a loss as I was.