He bore her to an open door that led out from the vestry, and there in the fresh air Chris revived.  He set her on her feet, and made her lean against him.  Jack hovered in the background, but he dismissed him.

“She is all right again.  Go and tell your mother.  It was an atmosphere to asphyxiate an ox.”

Chris laughed very shakily.  “I’m so sorry, Trevor.  Did I make a scene?”

She would have withdrawn from his support, but he kept his arm about her.  “No, dear.  I chanced to be looking at you, and I saw you were going to faint.  I am glad I was able to get you away in time.”

“I couldn’t help it,” she said, not looking at him.  “It was—­it was—­the flowers.”

“I know,” he said gently.

She leaned her head against him.  It was throbbing painfully.  “Oh, Trevor—­it wasn’t—­only—­the flowers,” she whispered.

He put his hand over her aching temples.  “Tell me presently, dear,” he said.

She reached up and found the hand, drew it down over her face, and held it so for seconds, speaking no word.  She touched it softly with her lips at last, and let it go.

“I’m well now,” she said.  “Take me back.”

He looked at her searchingly.  “You are sure?”

She smiled at him, though her eyes were still heavy.  “Yes, I’ll be quite good.  I mustn’t spoil Hilda’s wedding by being silly, must I?  You haven’t brought Bertie, I suppose?”

He smiled a little.  “He didn’t get an invitation.”

“Of course not.  Trevor, you didn’t think I was—­flirting with him that night?”

“My dear child—­no!”

“Because I never flirt,” said Chris very earnestly.  “It’s a horrid thing to do.  You’ll never think that of me, will you?  Or that I have ever trifled with you—­or anyone?”

Trevor’s eyes rested upon her with grave kindness.  “My dear, why should I think these things of you?” he said.

She shook her head.  “I don’t know.  Lots of people do.  But you are different.  I think you understand.  You’ll stay after it’s over and have a talk, won’t you?”

“Yes,” he said.

She slipped her hand into his.  “Now let’s go back.”

They went back.  The ceremony was very nearly over.  Chris took her place again, and followed the bride into the vestry afterwards.

Later, at the crowded reception, she was among the merriest, and very few noticed that she was paler than usual or that her eyes were deeply shadowed.

The wedded pair left early, and immediately afterwards the guests began to disperse.  Mordaunt, who had been making himself generally useful, looked round for Chris as soon as a leisure moment arrived.  But he looked in vain; she was not to be found.

He went through every room in search of her, but all to no purpose.  For a while he lingered, waiting for her, talking to the few people who remained.  But at length, as there was still no sign of her, he prepared to take his departure also, with the intention of presenting himself again later.