Monck considered. "He is a short, thick-set chap, stout and red, rather like a comedian in face. I think he appreciates a joke more than any one I know." "He sounds a dear!" said Stella; and added with a gay side-glance, "and certainly not in the least like you. Have you written yet to break the news of your very rash marriage?" "Yes, I wrote two days ago. He will probably cable his blessing. That is the sort of chap he is." "It will be rather a shock for him," Stella observed. "You had no idea of changing your state when you saw him last summer." There fell a somewhat abrupt silence. Monck was filling his pipe and the process seemed to engross all his thoughts. Finally, rather suddenly, he spoke. "As a matter of fact, I didn't see him last summer." "You didn't see him!" Stella opened her eyes wide. "Not when you went Home?" "I didn't go Home." Monck's eyes were still fixed upon his pipe. "No one knows that but you," he said, "and one other. That is the first secret out of Bluebeard's chamber that I have confided in you. Keep it close!" Stella sat and gazed; but he would not meet her eyes. "Tell me," she said at last, "who is the other? The Colonel?" He shook his head. "No, not the Colonel, You mustn't ask questions, Stella, if I ever expand at all. If you do, I shall shut up like a clam, and you may get pinched in the process." She slipped her hand through his arm. "I will remember," she said. "Thank you--ever so much--for telling me. I will bury it very deep. No one shall ever suspect it through me." "Thanks," he said. He pressed her hand, but he kept his eyes lowered. "I know I can trust you. You won't try to find out the things I keep back." "Oh, never!" she said. "Never! I shall never try to pry into affairs of State." He smiled rather cynically. "That is a very wise resolution," he said. "I shall tell Bernard that I have married the most discreet woman in the Empire--as well as the most beautiful." "Did you marry her for her beauty or for her discretion?" asked Stella. "Neither," he said. "Are you sure?" She leaned her cheek against his shoulder. "It's no good pretending with me you know, I can see through anything, detect any disguise, so far as you are concerned." "Think so?" said Monck. "Answer my question!" she said. "I didn't know you asked one." His voice was brusque; he pushed his pipe into his mouth without looking at her. She reached up and daringly removed it. "I asked what you married me for," she said. "And you suck your horrid pipe and won't even look at me." His arm went round her. He looked down into her eyes and she saw the fiery worship in his own. For a moment its intensity almost frightened her. It was like the red fire of a volcano rushing forth upon her--a fierce, unshackled force. For a space he held her so, gazing at her; then suddenly he crushed her to him, he kissed her burningly till she felt as if caught and consumed by the flame.