“So you think people can be married legally in Paris?” persisted the alderman’s wife, whose banns had been proclaimed in hearing of orthodox Polterham about a year ago.

“Of course they can,” fell from Serena.

Lilian’s age, personal appearance, dress, behaviour, underwent discussion at great length.

“What church do they go to?” inquired some one, and the question excited general interest.

“They were at St. Luke’s last Sunday,” Mrs. Walker was able to declare, though her wonted timidity again threw some suspicion on the statement.

“St. Luke’s!  Why St. Luke’s?” cried other voices.  “It isn’t their parish, is it?”

“I think,” suggested the widow, “it may be because the Liversedges go to St. Luke’s.  Mrs. Liversedge is”——­

Her needless information was cut short by a remark from Mrs. Tenterden.

“I could never listen Sunday after Sunday to Mr. Garraway.  I think him excessively tedious.  And his voice is so very trying.”

The incumbent of St. Luke’s offered a brief diversion from the main theme.  A mention of the Rev. Scatchard Vialls threatened to lead them too far, and Mrs. Roach interposed with firmness.

“I still think it a very singular thing that they went abroad to be married.”

“But they didn’t go abroad, my dear,” objected the hostess.  “That is to say, one of them was already abroad.”

“Indeed!  The whole thing seems very complicated.  I think it needs explanation.  I shouldn’t feel justified in calling upon Mrs. Quarrier until”——­

Her voice was overpowered by that of Mrs. Tenterden, who demanded loudly: 

“Is it true that she has already become very intimate with that person Mrs. Wade?”

“Oh, I do hope not!” exclaimed several ladies.

Here was an inexhaustible topic.  It occupied more than an hour, until the last tea-cup had been laid aside and the more discreet callers were already on their way home.

CHAPTER XIV

There needed only two or three days of life at Polterham to allay the uneasiness with which, for all his show of equanimity, Denzil entered upon so perilous a career.  By the end of January he had practically forgotten that his position was in any respect insecure.  The risk of betraying himself in an unguarded moment was diminished by the mental habit established during eighteen months of secrecy in London.  Lilian’s name was seldom upon his lips, and any inquiry concerning her at once awakened his caution.  Between themselves they never spoke of the past.