good thing in
life. You have already got the _best_ thing--a good wife. I knew
Miss Levison. A finer young woman never lived. I congratulate you with
all my heart, Duke!"

"I thank you very much, Lord Stairs," said the bridegroom, warmly
returning the greeting of the judge.

"But I fear I must condole with you also. It was really too bad to have
your honeymoon eclipsed at its rising, by a summons to attend as a
witness on a criminal trial!--too bad! However, fortunately, the trial
was a short one. And you are now at liberty to fly to your bride! I hope
the duchess is well," added his lordship.

"She has never been quite well, I grieve to say, since the catastrophe at
Lone," answered the duke, evasively.

"Ah, no! ah no! It cannot be expected that she should be so yet. It will
take time! It will take time! By the way, where are you stopping, my dear
Duke? I am at the 'Prince Consort!' Will you come home with me and dine?"
heartily inquired the baron.

"Many thanks, my lord. But I am not staying in town. I must hurry back to
Lone this evening in order to secure the midnight express to London. The
most important business demands my immediate presence there," gravely
replied the young duke.

"Ah, of course! of course! the bride! the duchess! Certainly, my dear
duke. I will not press you further," said the baron, laughing cordially.

Neither of the gentlemen made the slightest allusion to the testimony
given by the crown's evidence which had cast so foul and false an
aspersion on the character of the duke.

By this time the court-room was nearly emptied.

The duke and the baron walked out together.

The crowd had dispersed from before the court-house.

The duke and the baron shook hands and parted on the sidewalk.

"Give my warm respects to the duchess. Tell her grace that I shall hope
to meet her and present my congratulations in person, on her return from
the Continent. That will be in time for the meeting of Parliament, I
presume," said his lordship, as he was about to step into his carriage.

"Thanks, my lord. Yes, I hope so," answered his grace, as he lifted his
hat and turned away.

The baron's carriage drove off to his hotel.

The duke walked rapidly to the inn, where he had ordered his post-chaise
to be put up.

He partook of a light luncheon while his horses were being harnessed, and
then entered the chaise, attended by his valet, and ordered the coachman
to drive as fast as possible, without hur