"Night had fallen when I returned to my senses, and the strange sensation of intense cold generally left me. I looked around, and, to my amazement, saw the pale moon high in the sky. My head was resting upon something hard, which I gradually made out to be a wooden seat. Then, when I sat up, I became aware of the bewildering truth--that I was lying upon one of the seats in Hyde Park." "In Hyde Park? And you had been placed there while in a state of unconsciousness?" "Yes. Upon my finger I found a wedding-ring. Was it possible, I wondered, that I was actually married to some unknown man?" "You saw nothing of Ashwicke?" "I saw no one except the maid-servant who showed me into the drawing-room, and cannot in the least account for the strange sensation which held me helpless in the hands of my enemies. I saw the man I married at the church, but so mistily that I did not recognise you when we met again." "But you knew the house in Queen's-gate Gardens. Did you not afterwards return there, and seek an explanation of Tattersett?" "On discovering my whereabouts I rose and walked across the park to Gloucester Square. It was then nearly one o'clock in the morning, but Nora was sitting up in anxiety as to what had become of me. I had, however, taken the ring from my finger, and to her told a fictitious story to account for my tardy return. Two days later I returned to the house to which Tattersett had invited me, but on inquiry found, to my amazement, that it was really occupied by a lady named Stentiford, who was abroad, while the man left in charge knew nothing whatever either of the Major or of his sister and niece. I told him how I had visited there two days previously, but he laughed incredulously; and when I asked for the maid-servant who had admitted me, he said that no maid had been left there by Mrs Stentiford. In prosecution of my inquiries I sought to discover the register of my marriage, but, not knowing the parish in which it had taken place, my search at Somerset House was fruitless. They told me that the registers were not made up there until six months or so after the ceremony." "You did not apply at Doctors' Commons?" "No," she responded; "I thought the entry would be at Somerset House." "What previous knowledge had you of the Major?" "He was a friend of Ashwicke's, who had been introduced to us one night in the stalls at Daly's. He afterwards dined several times at Gloucester Square." "But Sir Henry does not know him." "It was while he was away at the Cape." "Then you have not the faintest idea of the reason of our extraordinary marriage, darling?" I asked, holding her hand. "I have told you all that actually occurred. Can you form no conclusion whatever as to the motive?" "Absolutely none," she answered. "I am as utterly in the dark as yourself. I cannot understand why you were selected as my husband." "But you do not regret?" I asked tenderly.