`Of course , in that case,' said Jasmine , and followed the concierge into the hotel .sx She felt rather queer as Harvey signed the visitor's book , Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Collock .sx She wondered if the superior-looking Frenchwoman behind the desk suspected ; she could imagine the woman pointing her pencil at her and crying , `This woman is not your wife .sx ' Then all the hotel servants would take up the refrain , shouting in chorus , 'This woman is not your wife .sx ' Jasmine smiled .sx It was stupid to be nervous and panicky ; absurd to have such a sick empty feeling inside her , the sort of feeling you have before you go to the dentist .sx She would have to get used to this sort of thing she supposed , arriving at strange hotels and watching Harvey sign the register .sx Nonsense to presume that everyone who looked at her did so because they knew .sx How could they know ?sx Then she remembered that she wore no wedding-ring .sx Neither of them had thought of it , in the excitement , the haste of getting away .sx But now she felt painfully aware of its absence as the porter led the way along the grey , discreetly-carpeted corridor .sx She clung desperately to her gloves until the man had finished fussing with her luggage ; arranging suitcases on stands , opening wardrobe doors .sx .. Would Harvey realise that she ought to wear a ring and buy her one ?sx She felt she'd rather die than ask him to .sx `Have you everything you want , dear ?sx ' Harvey spoke from the adjoining room .sx `Oh , yes,' said Jasmine faintly .sx Then she added , laughing , determined to conquer this absurd sense of nervousness , `I can't imagine wanting half the things they provide you with in this hotel .sx ' Harvey seemed pleased .sx `I thought you'd be satisfied once you got inside .sx ' Harvey planned for the evening .sx He asked Jasmine what she wanted to do , but , before she could think what she wanted to do , he told her what he had already arranged .sx They would dine quietly in the hotel .sx `You see , sweetheart , l knew you'd be tired after the trip,' he explained .sx `Besides neither of us got a great deal of sleep last night , I'm afraid .sx To-morrow we can see the sights and racket .sx But now I think we'd better rest up .sx ' Jasmine didn't demur , but she was frankly disappointed .sx She was tense , high strung , in the mood to do mad things to-night .sx A cocktail at the Cafe de Paris , dinner at the Ambassadors , a drive in the Bois de Bologne , then up to the gaudy tinsel of Montmartre to dance , and dance .sx .. She wanted a mad companion .sx She felt like Columbine to-night and she wanted Harlequin .sx Whom had she once thought of as Harlequin ?sx Why , Peter .sx .. !sx Peter would have understood .sx He would have known that to-night of all nights one didn't want to be quiet , above all one didn't want to think .sx One must do things , and keep on doing them until one was so exhausted one couldn't think .sx And while she knew that Harvey's planning had sprung mainly out of consideration for her comfort and well being , his very consideration irritated her now .sx Yet , how unfair that was to Harvey , she thought , standing on the little balcony looking down at the bustling Paris streets .sx To make amends she put on a .sx white georgette frock she had jammed into her suitcase at the last minute .sx Instinctively she knew Harvey would want her to wear white to-night , that her choice would please him .sx And it did .sx Coming into her room , after a hesitant knock on the dividing door , he flushed with pleasure and exclaimed :sx `You look beautiful , darling .sx More beautiful than I have ever seen you .sx .. Jasmine , child , you are going to be happy ?sx ' While she reassured him , he took both her hands in his and drew her to him .sx She felt his tremble , as they had in the church at the Sampson-Collock wedding .sx Yesterday .sx .. Could it have been yesterday ?sx And , seeing his love for her so plainly in his eyes , she felt ashamed of her former irritation .sx She snuggled against him , laying a powdered cheek on his dinner jacket , her fingers closing tightly about his arm .sx Hadn't she chosen him for her man ?sx Didn't he need her ?sx As though in answer to her thoughts he said huskily,' If you only knew the happiness you are bringing me , sweetheart .sx .. And I need that happiness .sx It's awful to feel yourself shut out from love when you're still young , you know .sx ' Jasmine felt a sob rise in her throat .sx She raised herself on tip-toe and kissed him impulsively .sx And in that moment she loved him or thought that she did .sx `Whatever happens I'll always be yours , dear,' Harvey whispered through tight shut lips as he kissed her again , `whatever happens .sx .. ' .sx Jasmine pushed him a little away from her and laughed tremulously .sx `Nothing's going to happen , idiot , so you needn't be so solemn about it .sx There , look at the mess I've .sx made of your coat .sx Scout away and brush it off .sx Then let's go down to dinner .sx I'm famishing .sx ' But Harvey wasn't to be shooed away like that .sx He was full of boyishly romantic love that he wanted to pour over Jasmine .sx For years he had kept a stern check on the intense emotionalism of his nature and now , having once let it out , he couldn't quell it .sx He continued to hold her to him , while he murmured disjointedly .sx `I want you to know darling , that I was never so happy .sx Not even at first when I .sx ..' But he pulled himself up short , and his face crimsoned .sx Jasmine said gently .sx `You mean when you first married Louise .sx .. I understand .sx And don't be afraid to speak about it , please .sx If we're to to make a success of this thing , we must be frank about everything .sx ' Harvey drew a deep breath .sx He kissed one of her hands with a humility that made tears come into her eyes .sx `That's dear of you , child .sx It's right , too .sx We must be frank .sx .. You are my real love , sweetheart .sx I wish to God we could marry !sx ' Jasmine thought wearily :sx `How I wish we could , too !sx ' All this would seem so much easier then .sx It would seem right .sx Was it because she felt , instinctively , it wasn't right that she felt unsure ?sx She tugged at his arm .sx `Come along , old sweet .sx I'm dying to sample a good Paris-cooked dinner .sx ' There was dancing in the dining-room .sx Dancing specially arranged for English visitors , not very thrilling dancing , but that there was dancing helped .sx Jasmine determined to pull Harvey out of his serious mood and make him play with her .sx `Dance , Harvey,' she commanded , springing to her feet when the tray of hors d'oeuvres had been taken away .sx `I am glad we came to this hotel , really .sx It's ever so nice .sx ' Harvey brightened , and they laughed and chatted together as they danced .sx In a long gilt hanging mirror she saw their reflection ; she chaffed him .sx `I wonder who the handsome , distinguished looking man is dancing with the reddish haired girl ?sx Oh , my dear , he looks much too nice for her .sx I wonder how she caught him ?sx Bet she worked the sympathy stunt .sx Poor little girl all alone in the world .sx ' Harvey laughed outright .sx He fell in with her mood .sx `Yes , she does look a minx .sx That golden red hair of hers .sx .. too attractive to be genuine .sx But I don't agree with you about the fellow .sx To me he looks .sx .. ' .sx 'Like a doctor with a good bedside manner ?sx ' laughed Jasmine .sx And added seriously , `You know , Harvey , you often do remind me of that .sx You're so correctly handsome , if you know what I mean .sx And your manner is so soothing .sx No wonder you're a success , even as a barrister , my dear .sx ' While they were waiting for the next course , she remembered what she had heard Sir James saying to Harvey at the wedding-breakfast about standing for Parliament .sx Now she questioned eagerly :sx `Are you seriously thinking of going into politics , Harvey ?sx I heard Sir James talking to you about it yesterday afternoon .sx Wouldn't it be thrilling ?sx I should adore to make speeches for you , harangue the women , plead with the men .sx I'm sure I'd make a great hit as a politician's wife .sx ..' Then , suddenly , she remembered that she wasn't his wife .sx She cut herself short .sx In the pause Harvey said quietly , `I'm not really keen on going into politics , Jasmine .sx It was only a wild idea of James' .sx ' Jasmine didn't say anything .sx But she couldn't help feeling that it must be because of her and their new relationship that Harvey had decided not to try to enter Parliament .sx If their affair leaked out , as it was bound to leak out if they lived openly together , it would seriously handicap any chances he might have .sx What was the alternative ?sx That their love be clandestine ?sx A secret they shared hidden from the world ?sx But she knew , instinctively , that Harvey would never tolerate that .sx He was too basically honest to do anything underhand .sx It was in his nature to brazen this situation out , whatever it cost him .sx The abrupt way in which Harvey switched the conversation on to some other topic convinced Jasmine that she had been right .sx The knowledge made her miserable and , for the first time , the thought crossed her mind , as to whether she would bring Harvey happiness by going through with this thing .sx She could give him love , but could she give him enough love to compensate for the loss of prestige in his profession , the sacrificing of a political career ?sx If only she could feel confident , as he did , that theirs was a great love worthy of any sacrifice .sx But all day , she had been assailed by doubts ; she didn't feel sure of anything any longer .sx Harvey interrupted her thoughts , exclaiming in startled surprise :sx `Goodness gracious , there's Jean and her husband !sx ' Jasmine turned her head quickly .sx There making their way to one of the little white-covered tables , dotted like mushrooms along the sides of the dance floor , were the newly-married Sampsons .sx `What an extraordinary coincidence,' Harvey murmured .sx But , the next minute , he corrected himself .sx `Although , I don't suppose it is such a coincidence .sx Paris is a natural enough place for a honeymoon , and Jean has stayed at this hotel before .sx It's rather jolly , isn't it ?sx ' But Jasmine could tell by his face that he didn't think it so jolly ; in fact this chance meeting was embarrassing him as much as it was distressing her .sx For how could they explain , what could they say ?sx She was cold with panic , suddenly .sx What would the Sampsons think of her , once they found out she was actually registered in this hotel as Mrs. Harvey Collock ?sx They knew she sketched for the Daily Record .sx Would they regard her as some common little chit who had come to Paris with Harvey for what she could get out of him ?sx Would Harvey's niece put her into the same category as she had put the little model , Felice ?sx The thought burnt her cheeks and made the food tasteless .sx Yet , she told herself , some day soon they would have to face Harvey's relatives with the truth .sx Mightn't it be as well to get the worst over now ?sx Jean Sampson was looking most attractive to-night .sx Even more attractive than she had at the wedding .sx A Nile green-beaded gown clung about her well-poised , shapely body .sx Her soft brown hair was taken back off the forehead , and dressed low over the ears .sx She looked a typical , well-bred English girl , sure of herself , secure in her position .sx Watching her , Jasmine , felt a sharp stab of envy .sx If only she could feel so sure of herself , so secure .sx If only Harvey could take her over to their table and say , `Jean , I want you to meet my wife .sx We were married this morning .sx ' Or words to that effect .sx Then she might have welcomed this appearance of the Sampsons .sx Whereas now she felt .sx a pitiable little outsider , dreading the inevitable moment when the four of them must meet .sx Harvey took the bull by the horns .sx