She drew a deep, shuddering breath, lifted her eyes to his:
"N-no," she said.
Ten minutes later it was being done around the corner of the great veranda, where nobody was. The moon glimmered on the Halifax; the palmettos sighed in the chilly sea-wind; the still, night air was scented with orange bloom and the odour of the sea.
He wore his overcoat, and he used the plain, gold band which had decorated his little finger. The clergyman was brief and businesslike; the two clerks made dignified witnesses.
When it was done, and they were left alone, standing on the moonlit veranda, he said:
"Shall we send a present to the Princess Zimbamzim?"
"Yes.... A beautiful one."
He drew her to him; she laid both hands on[251] his shoulders. When he kissed her, her face was cold and white as marble.
"Are you afraid?" he whispered.
The marble flushed pink.