She was not made for
poverty--and who so well as she was fitted for the social leadership of
our community?

They were married in Trinity Church in the month of May, and I was one
of Ham's attendants. Ralph was "best man." For the last time the old
Willett mansion in Powell Street wore the gala air of former days;
carpets were spread over the sidewalk, and red and white awnings; rooms
were filled with flowers and flung open to hundreds of guests. I
found the wedding something of an ordeal. I do not like to dwell upon
it--especially upon that moment when I came to congratulate Nancy as she
stood beside Ham at the end of the long parlour. She seemed to have no
regrets. I don't know what I expected of her--certainly not tears and
tragedy. She seemed taller than ever, and very beautiful in her veil and
white satin gown and the diamonds Ham had given her; very much mistress
of herself, quite a contrast to Ham, who made no secret of his elation.
She smiled when I wished her happiness.

"We'll be home in the autumn, Hugh, and expect to see a great deal of
you," she said.

As I paused in a corner of the room my eye fell upon Nancy's father.
McAlery Willett's elation seemed even greater than Ham's. With a
gardenia in his frock-coat and a glass of champagne in his hand he went
from group to group; and his familiar laughter, which once had seemed
so full of merriment and fun, gave me to-day a somewhat scandalized
feeling. I heard Ralph's voice, and turned to discover him standing
beside me, his long legs thrust slightly apart, his hands in his
pockets, overlooking the scene with typical, semi-contemptuous
amusement.

"This lets old McAlery out, anyway," he said.

"What do you mean?" I demanded.

"One or two little notes of his will be cancelled, sooner or
later--that's all."

For a moment I was unable to speak.

"And do you think that she--that Nancy found out--?" I stammered.

"Well, I'd be willing to take that end of the bet," he replied. "Why
the deuce should she marry Ham? You ought to know her well enough to
understand how she'd feel if she discovered some of McAlery's financial
coups? Of course it's not a thing I talk about, you understand. Are you
going to the Club?"

"No, I'm going home," I said. I was aware of his somewhat compassionate
smile as I left him....

XII.

One November day nearly two years after my admission as junior member of
the firm of Watling, Fowndes and Ripon seven gentlemen met a