On the third day Lady Dartelle sought Lord Chandon. "Miss Vaughan is much better, and is sitting up," she said, with a quiet smile. "Would you like to go up and see her?" Hyacinth rose when Adrian entered Lady Dartelle's sitting-room. She stretched out her hands to him with a little imploring cry, and the next moment he had folded her to his heart--he had covered her face with passionate kisses and tears. She trembled in his strong grasp. "Adrian," she whispered, "do you quite forgive me?" "My darling," he said, "I have nothing to forgive; it was, after all, but the shadow of a sin." * * * * * Never had the May sun shone more brightly. It was the twenty-second of the month, yet everyone declared it was more like the middle of June than of May. Hyacinth and Adrian were to be married in the old parish church at Oakton. Long before the hour of celebration, crowds of people had assembled, all bearing flowers to throw beneath the bride's feet. Sir Aubrey Dartelle--best man--with Lord Chandon, was already waiting at the altar, and to all appearances seemed inclined to envy his friend's good fortune. The ceremony was performed, the marriage vows were repeated, and Adrian Lord Chandon and Hyacinth Vaughan were made husband and wife--never to be parted more until death. * * * * * Three years have passed since that bright wedding day. Looking on the radiant face of Lady Chandon, one could hardly believe that desolation and anguish had marked her for their own. There was no shadow now in those beautiful eyes, for the face was full of love and of happiness. One morning Lady Chandon was in the nursery with Lady Vaughan, who had gone to look at the baby. They were admiring him, his golden curls, his dark eyes, the grace of his rounded limbs, when Lord Chandon suddenly appeared on the scene. "Hyacinth," he said, "will you come down stairs? There are visitors for you." "Who is it, Adrian?" she asked. "The visitors are Mr. and Mrs. Lady Claude Lennox." She drew back with a start, and her face flushed hotly. "Claude," she repeated. "Oh, Adrian, I would rather not go." "Go for my sake, darling, and because I ask it." Her husband's wish was sufficient. She entered the room, and Claude advanced to meet her. "Lady Chandon," he said, "I am delighted to see you." She was introduced to his wife, and Hyacinth speedily conceived a liking for her. Lady Geraldine was very fond of flowers, and during the course of conversation she asked Lord Chandon to show her his famous conservatories. They all four went together, but Claude, who was walking with Lady Chandon, purposely lingered near some beautiful heliotrope. "Pardon me," he said, "Lady Chandon, I wish to ask you a great favor. You will like my wife, I think. Will you be her friend? Will you let us all be friends? We should be so happy." She answered, "Yes." And to this day they are all on the most intimate and friendly terms.